Better times ahead for Scotland says Republic of Ireland defender Darren O’Dea

THE whole of Scotland will look on with envious eyes as Republic of Ireland prepare for this week’s Euro 2016 play-off against Bosnia.

For Gordon Strachan, his players and the Tartan Army there will undoubtedly be a feeling of ‘what should have been’.

Having taken four points out of six against Martin O’Neill’s men in the Group D qualifiers, it’s still hard to believe they finished in third spot.

Republic of Ireland defender Darren O’Dea is delighted his country is still involved, but he has a strong affection for Strachan and wanted to see both nations qualify.

However, he reckons, now that Strachan has pledged to lead the nation in the 2018 campaign, good times are coming, and for that to be the case some of the fringe players and under-21 starlets are going to have to step up and show they are ready to be involved.

O’Dea told The Sunday Post: “Listen, my loyalty to my country will never be in doubt, but I do feel for Gordon Strachan. I have total respect for him because he was great to me when he was Celtic manager. I really wanted him to qualify for the Euros, be the first Scotland manager to get to a major Finals for 18 years.

“But they have to put the disappointment behind them and focus on the next campaign. He is doing a grand job and it’s positive news he signed a new contract.

“Big strides have been made in the past 18 months and they can’t allow that to dwindle in the next 10 months as they wait for the opening game in the 2018 process. He still has a few very experienced lads but he will be looking for three or four more to really push their way and make an impact.

The Republic of Ireland celebrate making the Euro 2016 play-offs (Getty Images)

“I remember when I played my first couple of games for my country and I had Richard Dunne and Kevin Kilbane beside me in defence, Shay Given behind me. We had Damien Duff on the wing and Robbie Keane up front. There was a wealth of experience and I felt safe and looked after.

“Eventually a few of them retire and a new breed comes in. Places in the team were up for grabs and it allowed Seamus Coleman, Robby Brady, Aiden McGeady, Jon Walters and James McCarthy to come to the fore and really blossom.

“I’m sure Gordon will be looking for the likes of Andy Robertson and James McArthur to really push on in the months ahead and become main players for their country. He will also look in and around the under-21 set-up and want to see Lewis MacLeod, John McGinn, Jason Cummings, Ryan Jack, Tony Watt and one or two others to show the quality needed to step up.

“Any player that does step up will be guided by the likes of Scott Brown, Darren Fletcher, James Morrison and Shaun Maloney. There is a good nucleus there.

“It’s all about the team evolving and that leads to a sink or swim situation for some players.

“I hope Scotland go on to do well. They have a tasty World Cup section with England being in it, but they will have a ‘nothing to fear’ mentality and rightly so. I wish them the best of luck.

“Obviously, the more immediate thing on my mind is seeing my own country win the play-off. I think they will do it and credit to Martin O’Neill and the players. They are solid at the back and know how to keep cleans sheets. They only conceded seven goals in the qualification campaign and that was a an outstanding achievement.

“It’s good that the second leg will be played in Dublin. That could be the difference as the recent 1-0 win against World Champions Germany in Dublin will still be fresh in their minds.”

O’Dea will watch the play-off games from his temporary home in India. The former Leeds United, Reading and Toronto defender is out there just now playing for Mumbai City in the Indian Super League.

Their season only last for three months but it is very lucrative and O’Dea has enjoyed the experience, so far. There are only eight teams in the league and they play 14 games. The top four then play a two-legged semi-final and a Final in December.

He said: “We are doing fine at the minute. We are managed by Nicolas Anelka. He has a player-coach role and is still very fit. He is very quitter but has a good way with the players and there is respect towards him from the dressing-room.

“This is only the second year of the league’s existence in this format and the crowds have been brilliant. It is promoted very well and a lot have bought into it. Every game is televised live.

“The former Leicester City and England under-212 manager Peter Taylor is in charge of Kerala Blasters and we played them in front of 69,000 fans. It was one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever played in. Roberto Carlos is out here and he is player-manager of Delhi Dynamos.

“I’m enjoying the experience and the short-term deal really suits my situation at the moment. I definitely will be tempted to come back next year. I’d like to build relationships over here with the people involved in the game because there is tremendous enthusiasm and a real willingness to improve and get everything spot on.

“It will take time but it’s heading in the right direction.”