Scotland man Stephen O’Donnell on leaving Celtic, names boyhood hero

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Motherwell and Scotland star Stephen O’Donnell left Celtic as a youngster, after a two year stint in the Academy.

In a career with incredible twists and turns, O’Donnell now finds himself as Scotland’s first-choice right-back. It’s been quite the journey for the Scotsman, who grew up supporting Celtic. He was tentatively linked with a return to Paradise earlier this year.

Speaking to Si Ferry and Paul Slane on Open Goal, the articulate right back was frank about his Celtic rejection early in his career. O’Donnell said:

“Celtic, I got released after two years there. Chris McCart [told me]. Defensively I wasn’t good enough. It’s hard at Celtic, you don’t get tested at all. You’re battering teams, we won the league, we won the cup. That’s just what happened, didn’t really have a leg to stand on.

“I couldn’t prove or disprove him.

“I was in tears. There was a few of us. When I signed for Celtic, I knew it might only be for a couple of years. That’s why I signed, I didn’t want to lose the opportunity, albeit at U19s. I’d knocked Celtic back a couple of times as a kid, 11, 12, and I thought ‘I don’t wan’t to regret never going’.

“I had two great years, got the best of coaching.”

Scotland and Motherwell star names Celtic hero

Having grown up as a Celtic supporter, he could’ve had his pick of heroes. Born in 1992, O’Donnell emerged in the era we stopped the ten, won the treble and went to Seville. So, of course:

“I’d have probably said Jackie [McNamara]. He obviously played for Celtic. He’d probably be the one.”

Quite right.

The discussion in general is a fascinating insight into the volatility of a footballing career. Having also been released by Aberdeen in his youth, and told to go back to school, O’Donnell has surely proven himself to any doubters. Fine: he’s not a superstar, but he’s a starting right-back for Scotland. That means plenty.

Especially when a heart problem nearly ended his career. The full-back was told that he’d never play again, at just 18. Yet, his unlikely trajectory has seen him conquer health concerns, impress his hero at Partick Thistle, and get into the national team.

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