Loan defender Darren O’Dea says he doesn’t know whether he will still be with parent club Celtic next season. The 24-year-old, who is in Dublin having won his fourth full Irish cap as an 85th minute sub in last night’s 3-0 victory over Wales, is with the Blues until May.

O’Dea said: "If you ever have to leave a club like Celtic it's going to be tough. But whether I go back in the summer or not, I don't know.

"I speak to the players all the time and after I had an operation a while back, I was back at the club getting rehabilitation.

"But for now I am just concentrating on playing at Ipswich and we shall see what happens at the end of the season.

"I am really enjoying my time there at the moment and I will let other things take care of themselves."

O’Dea admits that during his previous loan spell in England he always had one eye on events back in Glasgow, but he says this isn’t the case this time around: “I went to Reading on loan last year and all I thought about was Celtic. It ruined my time there because I was so worried about was happening at Celtic.

"At the time Celtic had a lot of injuries and I was thinking I should be there. This time I have left Celtic and I have properly left them, in my head.

"Obviously it's a club I love and would love to play for, but at the moment my head is completely at Ipswich."

The Dubliner, who is contracted to Celtic until June 2012, has made 17 appearances for Town since moving to Portman Road on loan in August.

Photo: Action Images

Mark added 17:22 - Feb 9 I would rather read how Ipswich is a club he would love to play for, and how leaving a club like Ipswich would be tough. Presuming he is a left sided centre back by trade, I would much rather have Delaney or Smith in the side then O'Dea. At left-back 35-year-old Kennedy is ahead of him so his future here (or at Celtic) doesn't look bright.
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Bobby_Petta added 17:26 - Feb 9 An Ok player, but there are better nature left backs around, would rather see Shane O'Connor play more.
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Worcester added 17:33 - Feb 9 I think PJ "the Silverback" (sorry I love that name, well done Dirtydingus) doesn't favour too many loanees at the moment. Perhaps looking at what is actually his before enters the loan market. However if that is the case why would he let Scotland go without a look?
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greenkingtone added 17:57 - Feb 9 His head is at ITFC but where is the rest of him?
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We8Norwich added 18:00 - Feb 9 I think he is a good squad player. If he signed permanently this could help him as settled players are always better players.
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jas0999 added 18:32 - Feb 9 Okay player - prefer Kennedy at left-back.
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cornishnick added 19:01 - Feb 9 I'd give him a 2 year contract here. Good squad player and can do an equally competent job at left back or centre back
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bluelady added 19:13 - Feb 9 worcester worrier i guess jewell has been around a long time and will know a player such as Scotland and wether he fits his plans or not?
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Tractastic added 19:56 - Feb 9 Let him go he's an average player and we are right to move away from too many loanee's.How is this going to help the team grow.? Lets get O'connor back in the fray with the able support of the experienced Mr Kennedy. The left side would look good with these two alternating if one has an injury. However the right back position is the one we need to seriously look at? Edwards is a good skillful right midfielder but NOT a right back.I think this will be PJ's priority.

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wark_on_water added 20:42 - Feb 9 he's ok - but frailties are there to see!! Wouldn't particularly miss him. I still cringe at the yellow he picked up against Arsenal at home leg....possibly the latest and most synical trip I've ever seen!
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tractorboyholmes added 23:07 - Feb 9 Worst left back i've ever seen for Town since Dan Harding! Sorry O'Dea but it has to be said. You're nowhere near good enough for us and how you're even on the books at Celtic is beyond me!! Bye bye
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DiamondGezzer added 07:57 - Feb 10 I just wonder how much Celtic value him with a year still left on his contract come summer ?
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brian_a_mul added 09:06 - Feb 10 I think O dea is good! His best position is left CB. Tall and strong. He is a tough solid defender with great potential. He is only 24 and starting to break into the Ireland national team. He has played well in Champ League for Celtic a few years ago before getting an injury that kept him out for a while. If we got him for free he would settle better and could be a great player for us for many years.

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bluearmy78 added 12:59 - Feb 10 He's a decent enough squad player and can play well at centre back. We could even try 3 centre half's at the back, Mcauley on the right, Delaney in the centre and O'Dea on the left, any thought anyone??
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brian_a_mul added 16:24 - Feb 10 x3 at the back is a definate possibility for us. For this to work you need very mobile and quick wing backs. Edwards and O Connor would be well suited to these positions. Able defensively, quick to get forward and threating out wide. U need 3 midfielders, 2 central holding players(we have plenty of these) and one pushed up playing off front two strikers. Bullard would fit the bill playing here. Its a good idea and very attacking. Wings backs are crucial but I think we have the capability to do it!

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