Daz eyes a hoopy ever after; DARREN.Byline: Keith Jackson For the former professional American football player, see Keith Jackson (football player). Keith Jackson (born October 18, 1928, in Roopville, Georgia) is a former American sportscaster, known for his long career with ABC Sports television, his coverage of college football DARREN O'DEA Darren O'Dea [pronounced oh-dee] (born on 4 February 1987 in Dublin, Ireland) is a professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Celtic as a left-sided or central defender. signed on at Reading last night - then insisted he'll be back up the road in no time to nail down his place as a Celtic stalwart Stalwart A description of companies that have large capitalizations and provide investors with slow but steady and dependable growth prospects. Notes: The annual gain that would be viewed as the norm for investing in stalwarts is about 10% to 12%. . Record Sport revealed exclusively that the Irishman would be putting pen to paper on a new three-year contract at Parkhead before jetting south to begin a sixmonth loan deal at the Madejski Stadium Overview The stadium is the home of Reading Football Club and was opened on 22 August 1998 when Luton Town were beaten 3-0 with Grant Brebner having the honour of scoring the first goal at the stadium. . And, at the end of a whirlwind 24 hours, O'Dea spoke exclusively to Scotland's No.1 sports section Noun 1. sports section - the section of a newspaper that reports on sports sports page - any page in the sports section of a newspaper newspaper, paper - a daily or weekly publication on folded sheets; contains news and articles and advertisements; "he read to confirm he plans to use this short-term move to secure a long-term future as a cornerstone in Tony Mowbray's rebuilding job. Speaking moments after shaking hands on the deal with Reading manager Brendan Rogers Brendan Rogers (b. 1973) is the Northern Irish manager of the Chelsea reserve team, a position he has held since July 2006, when he was aged just 33. [1] He was previously the academy manager at Reading, where he also played until injury ended his career. [2] , O'Dea sent a message to the Celtic fanswhowere stunned to see him leave: I'll be back - better than ever. The 22-year-old said: "I'm just pleased we've been able to sort this loan deal out because I'm going to need regular top-team games if I'm going to be ready to takemychance when it comes at Celtic. "I like to think I've done well when I have been called upon to play. It becomes frustrating when you are in and out of the team but this is the time for meto prove myself. "Since I was 18 I've kept hearing one word, over and over again - experience. I can't sit around hearing that any more or being toldhow muchI need to build it up. Ability "So it's time formeto go on loan, get as many games and asmuchexperience as possible and then return to Celtic to see if I'm going to make it or not.WhenI get back I don't want to hear the word experience again. "Fine, if someone says I'm not good enough then I can accept that and move on. But this time it's going to be a question of ability - not experience. "The most pleasing thing formeis I have been given the backing of the club. They havemadeit clear they seemeplaying a big part in the future of the team - that's all I wanted to hear. "But the key word there is future. I can't sit around waiting onmychance to come- I need to play games, that's why this loan deal suits me." O'Dea had been pushing for a similar short-term deal last season after failing to hold down a regular slot in Gordon Strachan's side. But his impressive summer form appeared to have catapulted him into Mowbray's plans and he was evenmadecaptain when Celticwonthe WembleyCupduring the pre-season campaign. That was a sign of the trust Mowbray places in the Dubliner. But yesterday's move is an indication of O'Dea's determination to prove his boss right. Hecontinued: "I know where I stand with the boss. To be honest, even though I'm moving away for a while, he's been brilliant with me. "He toldmehe wantsme back and that he seesme being a big player for Celtic for many years to come . Sharp "That's why this is not the start of the end formeat Celtic - this is the making of me. This is the start of the process which will seeme as a first-team regular. "I'm delighted to be given this opportunity.God knows I've trained hard enough over the years. This feels like Iamfinally ready to get in at the sharp end." O'Deawill nowbid to make hismark onEnglish football's second tier after turning downsimilar loan deals atWatford and Ipswich. And he insists there is no reason why he should not be able to walk back into Mowbray's team if he can prove himself at this level. O'Dea said: "No-one can say the standard in the Championship isn't high enough to preparemefor being a Celtic player. "The club were happy to buy Glenn Loovens Glenn Loovens (born 22 September 1983) is a Dutch professional footballer currently playing for Cardiff City. Loovens, a defender, made his Feyenoord debut in the 2001/02 season in the Feyenoord team that later won the UEFA Cup, along with Robin van Persie, Civard Sprockel from this league so if it was good enough for him it should be good enough for me. "Reading are a good, club and I'm looking forward to helping them get involved in the promotion race. "The manager here tried to signmeforWatford last season so he's been after mefor a while and that was a big part ofmydecision." CAPTION(S): HOPES: O'Dea |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion