O’Dea has been asked to fill in for the injured Lee Naylor and on Sunday he popped up with his first goal in more than two years to give the Parkhead side the extra-time lead over Rangers.

Aiden McGeady’s late penalty sealed the win and O’Dea admitted afterwards he was glad Strachan resisted the advances of Burnley, Leeds and Nottingham Forest in the January transfer window.

The Dubliner will be put under pressure again by the imminent return of Naylor and utility defender Mark Wilson, who replaced the Irishman in the second half of extra-time for his first appearance in two and a half months after being sidelined with a hernia problem.

But McDonald, in Glasgow to promote the player of the year awards for the Scottish footballers’ union, PFA Scotland, insists his travelling partner can turn himself into a left-back.

He said: “It was great to see Darren score.

“He’s a good mate of mine as well and actually Aiden, Darren and I drive in together to training. So it was nice for both of them to get on the scoresheet.

“You are always frustrated when you are not playing and Darren is no different.

“But it shows you the character of the guy that he accepted it when he couldn’t go out (on loan) and he got on with it as a good professional.

“Sometimes it can go the opposite way but he has not been like that.

“And, if Darren keeps putting in performances like he did on Sunday, then it will be difficult for the gaffer not to play him.

“He’s played left-back in the last three games and has been brilliant.

“He’s a great defender, he knows what he is doing but left back is totally different from centre-back.

“But with every game that goes by, he is looking more comfortable.

“The gaffer and the other coaches and are working on things with him and I’m sure he will get even better.”