Free transfer from Celtic would be ‘ideal’ for O’Dea

O’Dea is out of contract on Thursday but Celtic have a one-year option on him. He hopes that Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell will not activate it.

O’Dea, who spent all of last season on loan at Leeds United, does not figure in the plans of Celtic boss Neil Lennon and thinks that a swift parting of the ways would suit both parties.

“Ideally in my world it makes sense just to let me go,” said O’Dea, who is with the Republic of Ireland squad preparing for the European Championships.

“If I am not part of the plans I will look after myself. Nothing is happening at the moment. I have to wait for Peter Lawwell to make up his mind.

“I owe a lot to Celtic and they have put a lot of work into me and he [Lawwell] probably feels that they deserve something back for it.

“It is down to him to make that decision, not me. If he feels that he is due a fee then he will give me an extra year.

“If he thinks he will let me go then that is better for me as it would be easier to move clubs. But it is down to him.”

Meanwhile, it was reported at the weekend that Celtic have lined up a lucrative pre-season friendly with La Liga champions Real Madrid.

While some of the details have still to be concluded, the report said that the clubs will play in the United States on 11 August – after the start of the new Scottish Premier League season – at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, which holds 68,500.