O’Dea’s injury nightmare is a Darren shame for Dens men
DUNDEE have been rocked by the news skipper Darren O’Dea could be out for most of the festive period.
O’Dea limped off in the latter stages of Wednesday’s 4-0 over Hamilton at Dens Park.
He underwent a scan yesterday on his groin and will sit out tomorrow’s home clash with Rangers. Boss Jim McIntyre said: “Darren is still sore. We’re not expecting him to be in the next week or two. We’ll need to wait and see what the scan says.
“It’s definitely the groin area. He has a strain there and there’s a bit of bruising. That was the only downside of the other night against Hamilton.”
McIntyre hopes his side, still anchored at the foot of the table, can feed off the momentum of thrashing Accies when they tackle Steven Gerrard’s men in front of the live TV cameras.
He added: “We’ve got a very difficult task against Rangers but we’re at home and it’s up to us to make something happen.
“Jack Hamilton’s first clean sheet was just as pleasing as the outfield play the other night. It was the first clean sheet in my time here.
“That was Jack’s strongest game for us. He was switched on because if you’re not you’ll get punished.”
Hamilton is steeling himself for the ultimate test when Rangers come to town.
He said: “It was my first clean sheet in the league this season and it was nice to get that out of the way.
“I’m sure Rangers will be a big test but it’s the sort of game I joined Dundee for.
“It has been a great week for us because of that fantastic result against Hamilton.
“It is something we had been working towards and it was long overdue.”