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Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images
Some Celtic fans react to Darren O'Dea appointment
Darren O’Dea’s appointment as Celtic’s new under-18 manager was a surprising announcement by the club yesterday.
The move had originally been reported by the Scottish Sun last month. However, despite that, the official announcement came out of the blue in any case.
Darren O’Dea was well-liked by Celtic fans during his playing days (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
O’Dea’s move to Parkhead sees him bring a wealth of experience to Glasgow. He’s played for 10 different clubs across five different countries. He’s certainly cultured given he’s spent time in Ukraine, India, and the MLS throughout his career.
And supporters have also been reacting to the news on Twitter to wish O’Dea the best. Here’s a sample of what’s been said:
Well done big man. At least your not rugby tackling Celtic players for a living anymore !!
— Martin Gilmore (@MartinG1888) September 15, 2019
Well done Darren – more Celtic men in the building the better mate HH☘️
— matt mcglone (@MattMcGlone9) September 15, 2019
Yes! Welcome home Darren! 👍 Left way too soon when you were younger in your playing days, but great to see you back.
— Marc McArdle (@marcmcardle1) September 15, 2019
Just stay away from Rogic if you see him he's been out long enough
— Jardel (@chris_bisland15) September 15, 2019
Good luck Darren 🍀 wee animal against us when you left, could be doing with some aggression in with the skill installed in the players
— Christy ~P~ an ordinary man (@cborp1) September 15, 2019
Congratulations Darren. I am sure you will give it 100%, just as you did on the pitch.
Welcome home 🍀— Dublin Devanney (@DublinDanny) September 15, 2019
2 years time it’ll be big mick McManus , Darren o’dea and john Kennedy all part of Shaun maloneys new management team #tommysbhoys
— sean (@huntsey1967) September 15, 2019
Does O’Dea have unfinished business at Celtic Park?
O’Dea had a fine spell at Celtic as a player. He managed 59 appearances and notched two Scottish Premiership titles. He also famously bagged a CIS Cup final goal against Rangers at Ibrox back in 2009 that helped us go on to win the trophy.
O’Dea also competed in the Champions League for Celtic, and was a regular in spells for Gordon Strachan. However, things changed under Tony Mowbray, as he was out of the side and sent out on loan to Reading. Further loan spells at Ipswich Town and Leeds United occurred before he was released by the Hoops.
O’Dea’s most famous moment for Celtic came against Rangers (Graham Stuart/AFP/Getty Images)
So to sum it up, his career started so brightly at Celtic before ending disappointingly. He just didn’t have the quality to stay in the team regularly. Mowbray and Neil Lennon didn’t trust O’Dea enough to continue building his Celtic legacy.
And that therefore means that there’s a point to prove for the Irishman here. He’s back at his boyhood club, and will want to bring more success to the club than he managed during his playing days. The only difference is it will now hopefully be done in the form of building up the youth talent at Lennoxtown.
O’Dea’s passion for Celtic is undoubted (Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images)
Hopefully this all works out for the best. O’Dea had only been with Motherwell since May after hanging up the boots at the end of last season.
But Celtic have put the trust in him to help develop the next batch of (hopefully) Lennoxtown wonderkids.
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