By becoming Celtic’s first professional player career manager, Darren O’Dea takes on a role in the club’s future.
Brendan Rodgers recently spoke about the need for greater links between the club’s youth academy and the first team.
These connections have paid off in the future with stars like Callum McGregor, James Forrest, and Kieran Tierney standing out. However, it’s been a long time since Celtic noticed a genuine advance from youth.
Rodgers needs more solid progression loans to help create that pathway and a part of O’Dea’s duties will be to oversee and manage that aspect of things.
It should be noted that he has been inspired by a young player on loan this season: Matthew Anderson.
Anderson was sent to Admira Wacker in Austria’s second division this season and has made 19 appearances in total, scoring his first senior goal on Friday night against DSV Leoben.
O’Dea said on social media X in response: “Excited for Matty. I had a brilliant loan period. Playing week in and week out as I adjust to a new country, the experience he has gained will be invaluable.
Admira plays with 3 full-backs in defence, so Anderson has been used as a winger on the flanks, most commonly on the left but also on the right.
The Austrians have missed out on promotion this season, but they still have 3 games left to play and Anderson will be looking to take advantage of them to move forward.
At just 20 years old, the player will be thinking about returning to Celtic this summer and will try to impress Rodgers in pre-season before another decision is made on his future. on some other loan if he is unlikely to play for the first team.
His contract expires in 2025, so there may be news of a new deal on the horizon if Celtic see he has potential. With the help of influential figures like O’Dea, he’s on the right track.