DUNDEE manager Paul Hartley believes Darren O’Dea should aim to kick-start his Republic of Ireland career after returning to Scotland to join the Dens Park club.
The 28-year-old former Celtic defender has signed until the end of the season after a spell in India with Mumbai City.
O’Dea had loan spells at Reading, Ipswich and Leeds United before playing for Toronto FC in Canada and Metalurh Donetsk in Ukraine then returning to Blackpool.
During that time, O’Dea, who has 20 caps, disappeared from the international scene – his last appearance was against Wales in 2013 – and had to watch from afar as Martin O’Neill’s side qualified for the European Championship finals in France this summer.
However, Hartley believes O’Dea’s return to the Ladbrokes Premiership should be a potential stepping stone to a return. He said: “It is a goal he has to aim for, but he needs to be playing regular football. He has 20 caps, which is terrific, so if he is doing well here then he will hopefully put himself in the frame.”
Hartley, who played alongside O’Dea at Celtic, was delighted with a new recruit who is a ready-made replacement for James McPake. McPake will miss the rest of the season after he fractured a kneecap in last weekend’s 2-1 derby win over Dundee United.
Hartley added: “He is somebody I know well. He fits the bill for us. He is at the right age, he has good experience and he is a good leader in the same mould as McPake.
“He has a fantastic attitude and has played for some really good clubs, so we are delighted.”
O’Dea was more circumspect about his chances of an international recall, insisting Dundee is his main priority. He said: “I always wanted to be an international player. Who doesn’t? My career path hasn’t fitted in with international football. I don’t think Martin O’Neill watches many games in Ukraine or in India, which is understandable, so I couldn’t really complain.
“But who knows? In Britain, you are under the nose of the manager but I would need to have a hell of a four or five months to be involved in France. The players who qualified deserve their places. I will concentrate on Dundee and see what happens.”
On McPake, Hartley said: “He will be out until the end of the season at least and we will see how his rehab goes. But James has a great mentality, he has been through this before in terms of injury. He is in good spirits and he just wants to get back playing again.”
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