Patience pays off for O’Dea

DARREN O’DEA insisted he was happier simply to add to his tally of Celtic appearances rather than firing the club to their CIS Cup final win over Rangers yesterday.

The Dubliner, 22, who has struggled to pin down a first team place in recent years, was deputising again at left-back in place of injured Lee Naylor.

O’Dea notched his first goal in over two years in the first minute of extra-time when he headed in a Shunsuke Nakamura free-kick and the Hoops’ first cup final win over their great rivals in 20 years was sealed seconds from the end when Aiden McGeady scored the second from the spot after Ibrox defender Kirk Broadfoot had received a red card for bringing him down.