Loanee defender Darren O’Dea has paid tribute to Town after his season at Portman Road was cut short by the ankle injury he suffered at Swansea on Monday. The Celtic man is set to return to Parkhead having joined the Blues in August.

The 24-year-old said: “Ipswich is a fantastic club with lots of fantastic people. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to come down here and play at such a great club this season. I have been involved regularly as well which has been a bonus.

“I have been playing at left-back for much of the season and I feel that I am more capable of adapting to different positions than I was before.

“I love football and have enjoyed playing regularly at Ipswich, but I won’t be complaining if I am back at Celtic in pre-season. I still speak to a lot of the boys and have been delighted that they have been doing so well.”

O’Dea says he wasn't shocked to see his Town team-mate Gareth McAuley mentioned in connection with Celtic’s greatest rivals in recent weeks: “I wasn’t surprised to see Gareth linked with a move to Rangers. He has probably been our best, most consistent player this season. He would stand out for any club.

“He is very calm in any situation, which is what you want from a centre-half. He is tall, physically imposing and is good in the air. I don’t know where he is going to be playing, but he would be a good acquisition for any team.”

McAuley, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is yet to sign his new deal despite the club agreeing to his terms.

Story syndicated from TWTD.co.uk

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