After making his debut in a CIS Insurance Cup tie against St Mirren in September, injuries to Gary Caldwell, Bobo Balde and Stephen McManus have allowed the Irishman to command a regular firstteam spot, latterly alongside new signing Steven Pressley.

"It's great playing with Steven. He talks me through games and that can only help a player of my age, " O'Dea said. "It's the same when I have been playing alongside big Mick (Stephen McManus) and Bobo. So no matter who I'm playing with, I'm always playing with quality. And you know you can't take a breather, you need to prove yourself every day to the manager.