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DARREN O'DEA READY FOR CELTIC CAUSE
By Trialist
Celtic defender Darren O'Dea is prepared for the Celtic Cause, if Stephen McManus is sidelined with the calf muscle injury the Celtic Captain sustained in Celtic's 3-2 humping of the Huns on Sunday.
In the 66th minute of Sunday's memorable and all-important Celtic victory, which propelled the Hoops five points clear of the Huns at the SPL summit, Stephen McManus was forced to leave the field of tribal combat, with Darren O'Dea the replacement.
The 21-year old Irishman performed admirably in Celtic's central defence alongside Gary Caldwell, which is all the more remarkable given that Darren O'Dea underwent surgery on a hernia only a few weeks ago.
Today's Daily Express claimed that Stephen McManus would miss the rest of the season because of his injury, but the far more informed Ronnie Cully of the Evening Times today reports that Mick is “determined” to play Celtic's three remaining SPL matches.
Celtic have yet to play Motherwell (A), Hibs (H) and Dundee United (A), which are all ‘must win matches' for Celtic if we are to have any chance of winning the SPL Championship, thereby setting the Huns the target of five wins from their remaining six League games.
However, if Stephen McManus remains sidelined from Celtic's Championship challenge, Darren O'Dea would likely be Mick's replacement, thereby adding to the Irishman's three starts this season.
Darren O'Dea's agent, former Manchester United defender Kevin Moran, confirmed his client's readiness for the Cause, while admitting Darren O'Dea had a loan move vetoed by Gordon Strachan.
Moran said: “It can't be denied this has been a very frustrating year for Darren in terms of appearances.
Moran continued: “Moving out on loan was something he wanted to do at one stage because he felt he needed more games.
Moran added: “But the Manager decided he needed Darren around and that's what happened against Rangers on Sunday.”
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