Celtic B Team coach Darren O’Dea has withdrawn from the process to find a new manager for Inverness CT. The Irishman had been subject to an approach by the Highlanders but decided that he wished to remain working with the Scottish Champions’ youth team instead.
As reported by Record Sport, O’Dea had been highly regarded by Caley Thistle but has decided that he wants to remain with Celtic. The report states that O’Dea was flattered by the approach but wants to continue in his current role with the club’s promising B Team.
The Irishman came through the ranks at Celtic before making 59 appearances for the first team but there were loan spells to Reading, Ipswich and Leeds United in that time. He had a career that took him to America, Ukraine and India before retiring from professional football in 2019 and beginning coaching with Motherwell.
Celtic recognised in O’Dea a leader and sought to bring him back to Lennoxtown and they succeeded in doing so. The 36-year-old has the brief, along with Stephen McManus, of bringing through youngsters with a pathway towards the first team.
O’Dea may wish to spend some time around Brendan Rodgers and pick up some wisdom from his compatriot with a view to improving as a coach and, eventually, stepping out as a manager in his own right.
ICT will continue their search for a new manager after Billy Dodds was sacked last weekend.
