O'Dea urges Celtic squad to grab rare treble chance

Published on Tuesday 17 February 2009 22:36

CELTIC defender Darren O'Dea has urged his team-mates to go all out to capture the domestic treble this season. With just three months of the season remaining, the Parkhead side sit top of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League, two points ahead of rivals Rangers.

Gordon Strachan's side will play either Motherwell or St Mirren in the quarter-finals of the Homecoming Scottish Cup and face Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final on 15 March at Hampden.

During Strachan's tenure at Parkhead, Celtic have not been involved in all three domestic competitions at this stage of a season. "This is a massive opportunity for us all," the 22-year-old Irish defender told Celtic View. "We're still involved in every competition and you might never get that chance again. It's a case of having to win every game we play. In the last three years, we've made history. We've won the title every year and that's been great. This year, things are different again but we are involved in all three competitions and that doesn't always happen at Celtic.

"It's a big chance to go and have a really successful season."

O'Dea has made seven first-team appearances this season but has told Strachan that he is ready to play his part during the run-in.

He said: "I'm doing a bit extra in training as I always do and that stands me in good stead when I get chances in the first team."

Meanwhile, it was reported last night that Barry Robson may shortly undergo an operation on his injured groin.