Darren O'Dea thanks Celtic legend after announcing retirement | OneFootball

Dundee defender Darren O’Dea has announced he will retire from football at the end of the season.

O’Dea began his career at Celtic and spent six years in Glasgow before his nomadic career took him to such exotic locations at Toronto, Donetsk, Mumbai and Blackpool.

The Republic of Ireland international won two Scottish Premiership titles, a Scottish League Cup and a Scottish Cup at Celtic and has now decided to pursue a career in coaching following Dundee’s relegation.

And the 32-year-old took the opportunity to thank one Hoops legend in particularly for giving him his big break in the game.

“It’s been a difficult decision as I feel I have plenty in the tank but my passion in life is now in another part of football – coaching,” said O’Dea.

“One special person I want to mention is Tommy Burns. The man signed me at Celtic and started the whole dream off. He might have left us in body but he’s never left in spirit.

“I thought about him everyday as a player and you can guarantee he’ll be on my mind every day as a coach.”