I’m glad I put my family first. What happened to Jackie shows you can’t take anything for granted
SAYS STEPHEN O’DONNELL
Stephen O’Donnell put family over finance by knocking back a move to Oxford United in January.
With only a couple of days to weight up his future, his wife and newborn child came first.
And if the Ki lmarnock and Scotland defender had any doubts about his decision they were dispelled last week.
When news f lashed up on his phone, that his former mentor Jackie McNamara was in hospital fighting for his life, O’Donnell was left numb.
The former Celtic right- back col lapsed la st week with a suspected brain bleed and needed emergency surgery.
Hearing of McNamara’s plight made O’Donnell realise what’s really important in life. It made him think about what Tommy Burns called the three Fs – family, faith, football.
The 27- year- old could have more tough choices in the summer – especially if he keeps up his current Killie form.
He was outstanding in midweek, scoring the opener as Alex Dyer’s side dug out a famous 2-1 win over Rangers at Rugby Park.
For now, O’Donnell is content in Ayrshire. And even if clubs come calling at the end of his contract in June, anything he does will be for the right reasons.
As he prepared for today’s Premiership clash with Hibs, he said: “There was a big possibility of me going in January.
“But we’ve just had a baby boy and I wasn’t sure that it was right for myself and my family.
“There haven’t been many decisions in my career that have been a no-brainer. And I had to give this one a lot of thought. “But I told the manager at Kilmarnock that I want to work under him.
“I want to try and deliver a massive success story for someone like Alex who I think is a brilliant man. “Another guy who was great for me in my career is lying in hospital. You want to do your best for them when they come along.
“Ja ck ie wa s a massive influence on me at Partick Thistle. And what has happened to him puts everything into perspective. “He d i d
everything for Partick when I was there. He was unbelievable for the club and for myself.
“I hope he’ ll make a full and speedy recover y. The most important thing is that his family and friends are supporting him.
“When I read the news on Facebook, I had to read it again – I couldn’t believe it.
“I played against Jackie a few months ago in Kris Doolan’s testimonial game and he still looked pretty fit.
“So it puts things in perspective. It shows that you can’t take anything for granted.
“And it maybe makes me think my decision about Oxford was the right one. Family is so important.
“Another great man once spoke about the three Fs and that’s been a massive part of my life. Jackie’s in my thoughts and prayers.”
When he was forced to make the career- changing decision on deadl ine day, O’Donnell had another consideration – the Scotland squad.
He’s been a regular in Steve Clarke’s groups and want s to be involved in the Euro 2020 play- off against Israel next month.
The right-back felt a move to England’s League One might hinder his chances.
And that wi l l be something he’ll have to evaluate again if he opts to leave Killie. O’Donnell said: “Scotland is a massive consideration for me. I had to weigh all of that up.
“I can’t guarantee I’ll be in the squad. We’ve three top- quality left- backs in Andy Robertson, Kieran Tierney and Greg Taylor – any one could play at right-back and I could drop out.
“I can’t make decisions solely on Scotland but I want to give myself every possibility of being in that squad.
“Family was so important too. My wife is off work for six months and wouldn’t have fancied sitting on her own in Oxford.
“I only had two or three days to think what to do. I had made the effort to go and watch my brother say his first Mass at my old high school. I came out to missed calls from the gaffer and my agent so it was an interesting few days for me.
“I thought about the move a lot but it just didn’t feel right for me at that time.
“In the summer, I hope I’ve got more decisions to make and one of them is to stay at Kilmarnock.
“Then I’ll make what I think is the right one.
“I’m not sure what will happen. I’d love to win something and if I could go somewhere with the possibility of that, it would be great.
“But for now, I’m just focusing on getting Killie back in the top six.”
And given the Rugby Park side’s performance against Rangers, you wouldn’t put it past Dyer’s men.
O’Donnell says the ma na ger – who replaced Angelo Alessio – has put trust in the players again and their honesty as a group, on and off the pitch, can see them climb the table.
He said: “We’ve had to get back to what we’re good at, which comes from a work ethic.
“After we lost to St Johnstone in January, we were in danger of being dragged into a relegation fight.
“There were some words said after that game.
“Everyone forgets that we’re people, we care. It’s our job and we’re not on good enough money to just sack it off.
“We’re all playing for bonuses and another contract. It’s not like we’ve got millions in the bank.
“It was important to clear the air. Under the old manager, that had been taken away a bit. We couldn’t really say much. “But we’ve bounced back. We’re an honest bunch and there’s a trust there now.
“We’ve reacted positively to the conversations we have had and that came from caring and wanting to win.”
This is our job .. we’re all playing for bonuses and another contract