Celtic B team coach Darren O’Dea spoke to members of the Celtic Fan Media yesterday afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s Southern League match against Broomhill Sports Club at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie.
The game kicks off early on Saturday afternoon with a 1pm kick-off and this along with the Celtic FC Women SWPL Cup semi-final against Hibs on Sunday at Forthbank in Stirling (kick-off 4.30pm) are your two opportunities to get out the house and support Celtic this International break weekend.
Celtic’s B team take on Broomhill Sports Club this Saturday at the Penny Cars Stadium in Airdrie (KO: 1pm) on the back of a frustrating 2-1 defeat away to Spartans on Tuesday night, when the Edinburgh side netted a last-minute goal against the young Celts for a second time this season.
With Celtic were looking for a winner that sucker punch is probably another important lesson along the way and it was fascinating listening to Darren O’Dea’s outlook on the job that is being done this season. The introduction of the Celtic and theRangers B teams into the Southern League is certainly proving to be challenging, worthwhile and ultimately could benefit not only Celtic and indeed theRangers first teams but have benefits throughout the Scottish game. The blinkers hopeful have come off those who were against this move over the past year or so.
O’Dea is looking at individual performances and development. The fact that the team lost to a stoppage time sucker punch in midweek isn’t anywhere near the biggest concern for himself and his manager Tommy McIntyre.
📹 𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓺𝓾𝓮 𝓐𝓷𝓰𝓵𝓮 of Joey Dawson’s goal against Spartans! #SPACEL 🍀 #CelticFC pic.twitter.com/SkosyVjiRd
— Celtic FC B (@CelticFCB) November 10, 2021
“The result isn’t anything that worries me from the other night. I came away from the game with the players and thought they’ll definitely, definitely learn from that,” O’Dea said.
“I thought it was a great experience, and the style of play Spartans brought was probably something they haven’t seen before.
“The last few days have been about recovery and a bit of reflection today. So I was quite comfortable coming out the other night that the players will have learned and be better players for it.
“Saturday is another test that will be different, but I’ve no worries over the result from the other night having a negative impact on the players.”
O’Dea was asked about the progress of Celtic B Team and England youth goalkeeper Tobi Oluwayemi who was on the bench for the first team last week in the Europa league match in Budapest against Ferencvaros and this week started for England’s Under 19s against Andorra. With the former England No1 Joe Hart now also at Celtic (like Tobi Oluwayemi, Hart arrived at Celtic from Tottenham), O’Dea was asked about the influence Hart can have on the Tobi’s development.
“Tobi is doing really well. He came in a couple of years ago and has taken time to adjust to obviously, a new style of football, but more importantly a new life,” O’Dea said.
“I saw Tobi off the back end of last season with the Under-18s. There was a marked improvement in him, and he’s in a really good place at the minute.
“That’s obviously been reflected with recognition he’s had in the first team. I’d imagine that recognition will keep coming if he keeps his feet on the ground and keeps working the way he is at the minute.
“I hope he gets to work with Joe Hart, because there’s a fantastic example to all the young goalkeepers here, of a brilliant professional. I think he’s older than me and still going strong!
“Tobi’s chance will come, I’m sure of it. But that’s down to Tobi at the minute, but he’s doing very well.”
O’Dea also spoke about the pathway to the first team and specially about the delight throughout the club for Anthony Ralston who recently signed a new 4 year contract at the club. He also talked about how well Rocco Vata is doing at the club. Watch the Media Conference below…
If you’re at a loose end on Saturday lunchtime and are craving a Celtic fix then head along to Penny Cars stadium and enjoy some football as Celtic B take on Broomhill Sports Club, kick-off is 1pm.
COYBIG.
📺The @CelticFCB team coach looks ahead to this weekend’s home league match against BSC Glasgow in the @OfficialSLFL🍀
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) November 11, 2021
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