Darren O’Dea

[Junior]

Mowbray impressed with O'Deas impact over the past few games.

Says he still has a lot to learn and partciularly the need to develop his composure and decision making rather than looking to be 100mph and aggessive all the time. No question, he doesnt like the fact that he has two youngsters (23 and 19) as his CB pairing and at least one, if not both, will be making way when the more senior Loovens, Hooieveld are fit.........

Not sure how long Mowbray will be around mind you, to mentor our Darren............

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks-ignore/celtic-boss-pleased-with-darren-o-dea-form-1.1013795

[rebelmusic]

What i dont understand is how he keeps getting the captains armband, not a dig at O'Dea, but he hasn't exactly been a regular starter this season

[Charlie Darwin]

Mowbray sold all the leaders in the team.

[irishfan86]

The Guardian gave O'Dea man of the match in Celtic's 1-0 win over Hibernian earlier. I watched a replay of the game (don't watch it if you get the chance, dire match).

O'Dea was solid at the back, but picked up a needless yellow card for dissent. Also got involved in some handbags with Nish after a tangle up.

He's got attitude, balls, etc., but hopefully he can use this in a controlled way (I cannot stand players picking up bookings for dissent).

[Junior]

Yeah dire match alright. O'Dea does have a bit of dig in him which he has shown on numerous occasions for Celtic but I agree with you it needs to be dealt out in a savvy manner. The handbags stuff with Nish was completely of O'Deas own making because he didnt like a firm but fair tackle coming his way. Still it is good see Lenny stick with him at CB, though there were no other CBs on the bench, so hard to say whether he would be a first choice when the rest are back from injury.

[seanfhear]

Lets be honest about it here if Darren does not soon grasp his opportunity at Celtic then the question has to be asked is he ever going to grasp it.

Centre backs sometimes mature and peak at 25/26 so Darren has some time but opportunity knocks and must be answered as well.

Was there something in the press about Neil Lennon wanting to bring McManus back from Middlesboro next year.

[Junior]

I didnt hear/read that but there is nothing to suggest Neil Lennon will be in charge next season so I'd like to think he hasnt started commenting on his summer transfer activity just yet!!

[seanfhear]

I didnt hear/read that but there is nothing to suggest Neil Lennon will be in charge next season so I'd like to think he hasnt started commenting on his summer transfer activity just yet!!Thought I saw something about the McManus thing somewhere but cannot remember where so sorry no link.

I cannot see Celtic being inundated with high quality applicants for the job. Supposed Owen Coyle and Martinez(now with Wigan) turned them down last year before the got to Mowbray. There has been a few that have suggested Mark Hughes (Hartson at least) but would he want the job.

So unfortunately the Celtic job is not seen as a Grade 1 job these days, sad but true. If Neil Lennon makes a good fist of it from now until the end of the season and wants the job, Celtic may as well give him a crack at it

[Charlie Darwin]

On a semi-unrelated note, I see Henrik Larsson recently got into management in the Swedish second division. No idea if he's any good or not, but it looks like Celtic will be relying a lot more on ex-players to manage in future if they can't spend the same kind of money as the teams down south.

[Junior]

I agree that is the likely scenario and also the cheapest option, always an important factor for Celtic Plc! The Celtic Board will still be seething at the £2m compensation paid to WBA for Mowbrays services not to mention the £65k per week for Robbies wages till the end of the season, which has neither helped secure the title nor ensured that attendances remain high (not Robbies fault by the way). Only one Champions League place from 2012 and all Scottish teams will need to cut their cloth accordingly............

[Serb]

On a semi-unrelated note, I see Henrik Larsson recently got into management in the Swedish second division. No idea if he's any good or not, but it looks like Celtic will be relying a lot more on ex-players to manage in future if they can't spend the same kind of money as the teams down south.

He did say he was interested in returning to Celtic in a coaching role (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/8306579.stm) a few months ago. He's managing a team called Landskrona BoIS and it looks like they're a pretty average second division side (they finished 8th last season in a league of 16). He hasn't managed any competitive games yet, but his first game in charge is at 4pm on Saturday, might be worth looking out for the result if he's potentially a future Celtic manager. He only signed a 1 year contract with the current side.

[Junior]

I know we are going really off topic here but I think Larsson is wise enough not to rush in to the Celtic job at the first opportunity. Idolised by 1000's for a fabulous career in the hoops, no way he would risk that by having a Mowbrayesque type start to a Celtic managerial career. He may one day be manager but I hope its after many more years of learning the ropes...... Incidentally, former player, Alan Thompson (Reserve team Coach at Newcastle) is getting linked with teaming up with Neil Lennon, I wonder if that will still be on the cards now they have secured Premiership football next season?

[OwlsFan]

I saw him in the Old Firm game last night. Part of an extremely shakey defence and almost gave away one goal by a poor pass back to the keeper. I don't think he'll ever make a top player I am afraid. McGeady wasn't great either :(

[Charlie Darwin]

That's an awfully quick judgement to make on a player. He's only played a handful of games and you're writing him off already, which is especially harsh as he was playing against by far the best team in the league.

[geysir]

Owls has probably sunk into a dark space since Sunday, it all looks pointless right now.

O'Dea lost his composure at times with some poor decisions, maybe the 'franticity' of the game had him on the edge. But there's some hope in that he got away with a blatant enough hand ball at the end.
You can't buy that fortune. His CH partner last night was Wilson.

[irishfan86]

I don't think playing alongside Wilson at centre-half did him any favours. Wilson is an out and out fullback and it's a sign of how weak Celtic are in that position that Lennon even considered playing Wilson there.

I'm willing to give O'Dea the benefit of the doubt. Hopefully he can earn the starting role at centre-half for Celtic full time next season.

[Noelys Guitar]

Looks likely to sign for Ipswich on loan. Bit of a surprise that. Could be a good move for him.

[Sullivinho]

Looks likely to sign for Ipswich on loan. Bit of a surprise that. Could be a good move for him.

Great move if it pans out. Although I thought the same thing when he turned up at Reading. This guy needs some serious game time.

[drummerboy]

Surprised as O'Dea is very friendly with Owen Garvan, who surely would have warned him of Keane antics. Very few irish players have managed to have a successful career under Keane, especially Dubs.

[Charlie Darwin]

No, stay away from Keane!!

[aidinho]

he had one outstanding game against AC Milan for us over in Milan in the Champions League plus he scored a bellter of a header against Rangers in the CIS cup final for us in Strachans final game in charge, but other than that he has been woefull for us but everybody at Celtic loves him because hes a Richard Dunne kinda guy who takes the ball the man and anything else thats in sight.

He's best mates with McGeady too so hopefully McGeady will give him a wedge of cash to be his bodyguard over in Moscow. old pals act and all that.

McGeady was rarely off the front pages of the scottish tabloids for being attacked by Rangers supporters and O'Dea scelped most of them.

We actually had a a minted song last year DARREN ODEA SCELPED A HUN, DARREN O'DEA SCELPED A HUN. and so on.

[The Fly]

he had one outstanding game against AC Milan for us over in Milan in the Champions League plus he scored a bellter of a header against Rangers in the CIS cup final for us in Strachans final game in charge, but other than that he has been woefull for us but everybody at Celtic loves him because hes a Richard Dunne kinda guy who takes the ball the man and anything else thats in sight.


As you have alluded to, his performances in the 2006/07 season pointed to a very bright future in the game, with his game against AC Milan being particularly noteworthy, given his inexperience. Indeed, it even attracted plaudits from none other than the great Paolo Maldini. Given this context, I'm actually surprised that O'Dea's progress seems to have stalled, and believe the loan deal will actually do him the world of good.

I don't share the distaste for Mr. Keane displayed by some on here ;), and feel he could do well under his tutelage.

[drummerboy]

Well he played a full game yesterday in the ipswich's away win against Crystal Palace.

[OwlsFan]

Not much comment about his performance. I thought he looked shakey enough at times. I also see Roy had a rant at Trap for playing him for over 45 minutes and then getting injured. Stop in a teacup really as he then played on Saturday in a losing Ipswich team:

Independent.ie

Keane vents fury after Trapattoni snubs O'Dea request
By Daniel McDonnell

Friday November 19 2010

ROY KEANE has hit out at the FAI and Giovanni Trapattoni, claiming they ignored a request to give defender Darren O'Dea just 45 minutes of action in Wednesday's friendly with Norway. The Celtic defender is currently on loan at Ipswich and the Aviva Stadium encounter marked his return from a six-week lay-off.

Keane and his staff were satisfied that the game provided O'Dea with a chance to return, but had asked that he play just one half.Therefore, the Corkman is furious that O'Dea continued until the 67th minute when he was forced off with a hamstring complaint that could halt his comeback at club level.
"Things aren't going our way and people are taking the mick out of us. We're not happy on that side of it," said Keane yesterday."We have a player who hasn't played for six weeks and we make a request to Ireland that he has 45 minutes and he ended up playing 67 minutes and coming off with a tight hamstring. No no, we're not happy."

O'Dea benefited from an Irish injury crisis to win his third cap for his country. He has impressed in East Anglia during his temporary switch from Scotland, but this is his second injury setback arising from an international trip. The Dubliner incurred a setback in training ahead of the trip to Yerevan in
September, and Keane was aggrieved that O'Dea ended up making the journey when he wasn't going to be involved.

Once again, he was staggered by a Trapattoni decision on Wednesday night. "I watched the game and I couldn't believe he came out for the second
half," said the former Irish captain, who is under pressure following home defeats to Derby and Barnsley."As I said, he's been injured for us for six weeks and we thought if he goes over and gets a half, that's brilliant," said Keane. "I don't want to stop players going away and playing for their country, but then for them to do that to him... He's been out for six weeks and they probably would have left him on for the 90 unless his hamstring tightened up.

"But that's what you have to put up with sometimes and we're not happy with that," concluded Keane.

- Daniel McDonnell

[tricky_colour]

He didn't look to clever for Norwich's first goal. not doing Roy Keane any favours in that respect, however
another another Irishman Delaney has just levelled it.

[Olander]

Seriously, how bad is Darren O'Dea?

How on earth does this joker have international caps...

[Noelys Guitar]

having a "mare" today. And now Delaney has been sent off.

[seanfhear]

O'Dea was absolutely awful for Norwich's first goal

Delaney was awful for his sending off

Keane is almost certainly an awful manager. How he pesists with the same backroom team is a mystery to me. Give it up Roy and go back to dog walking.

[Eirambler]

Have never managed to figure out what O'Dea has done to get so far up the Irish pecking order, he was (is) poor enough for Celtic and isn't impressing in the Championship either. With the likes of Wilson, Clark and potentially Duffy around, as well as Cunningham at LB, i wouldn't expect him to be a fixture in the squad for too much longer.

[Sullivinho]

Have never managed to figure out what O'Dea has done to get so far up the Irish pecking order

A combination of early, enduring promise and a relative lack of options I would imagine. Failing to split a poor Celtic defense from the inside is not the mark of an up-and-comer and he's been poor enough any time I've seen him tbh, albeit I've hardly been stalking his progress. I had hoped a stint in the championship would overcome the bhoy's growth stunt but so far not so good eh.

[rebelmusic]

I suppose tho CB is another problem area for us. And i mean players who do it week in week out. That's assuming you ignore McCarthy and Byrne in the championship.

[Predator]

Watched the Ipswich game today. Both he (at LB, then CB) and Delaney (started CB, scored and was sent off) were dreadful. In fact, Keane's whole team looked like they weren't a unit, but the defence was particularly terrible. Maybe the injury is beginning to affect O'Dea.

Hoolahan scored a delightful goal for Norwich and there were quite a few other Irish lads playing. Poor enough game though.

[Colbert Report]

I just saw Norwich's first goal. O'Dea coughed up that ball so easily! What a crap player.

[irishfan86]

Personally I'll give the benefit of the doubt to anyone managed by Keane. I've been disappointed with O'Dea overall though, never really lived up to the promise he showed against Milan in the Champions League a few years ago.

[drummerboy]

He had a poor game all right. Needs to get the finger out.

[seanfhear]

Probably better for all concerned if Roy Keane was kept away from Irish footballers and probably all footballers.

Keane could be a King at Crufts and thats what he should spend the rest of his days at (Meow!!!).

[ArdeeBhoy]

O'Dea had a good game tonight by all accounts. Time for an uplift in form?

[drummerboy]

Good to hear. I had really high hopes for O’Dea but he somehow hasn't delivered on his potential. Lets hope this gives him a boost.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Surprised to see that no one has mentioned that O'Dea signed on a season long loan for Leeds yesterday.

Can't see him getting game time at centre half ahead of Kisnorbo and O'Brien, Leeds are short at left back but I don't think that's his best position, would sooner see him at centre half. Really needs to play regularly at this stage of his career.....

http://www.leedsunited.com/news/20110804/darrens-complete-and-ready-to-go_2247585_2410446

[Charlie Darwin]

Straight into the Leeds side, presumably at left back with O'Brien in the centre. David Connolly starts up front for Southampton.

[TrapAPony]

Goal scored by Darren O'Dea from inside the penalty box to the bottom right corner of the goal - v Coventry

[theworm2345]

Just woke up but apparently has gone off injured for Leeds. Anyone watching the game know how it happened?

[rebelmusic]

" suffering from dizziness " apparently. I wouldn't be too worried. John o Shea's hammie is gone and Greg Cunningham injured but not sure why

[nigel-harps1954]

Woops....Leeds beat 7-3 tonight. O'Dea had a stinker supposedly.

[Predator]

Interesting that, because he was brilliant against M'boro'. Pure blood 'n' guts performance which led to Martin Keown branding him a "brick wall", which was fitting since for all his strength, he looked quite sluggish at times.

[drummerboy]

The problem with O'Dea is his pace. I've followed his career for a long time, since I seen him playing with Home Farm. He has a lot of good qualities but at the highest level his pace will let him down.

[Paddy the Dog]

The problem with O'Dea is his pace.


Largely I thought he was great v the Czechs, although he was part of the mess that contibuted to the goal. Our back 4 doesn't play high up the pitch drummerboy so if he's thrown into the Spain game he's hardly going to get caught out chasing Silva from the half-way line on a 1v1 is he?

I suppose he would benefit from the extra half yard around the box. Keown's comment as posted by Predator doesn't surprise me, I love O'Dea's commitment.

[gastric]

Not good news fro O'Dea or Ireland. He really needs to move to a club where he is guaranteed regular football.


http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/odea-left-in-limbo-after-warnock-cuts-short-loan-deal-3087812.html

[tetsujin1979]

it's a strange move from Warnock, O'Dea's only missed two games this year for Leeds, which he was suspended for after collecting 10 bookings, but he was straight back into the starting XI after that

[Stuttgart88]

He needs to be training full time at the very least. Celtic have 5(?) dead-rubbers left in their season. It's a no risk option for them to pick him for a few games, Lennon might even see something he likes in him.

A LoI club could take him on loan during May if they can get Celtic to pay most of his wages. It'd be good publicity.