Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Celtic coach Darren O’Dea is considering a move to Swansea City, with the former Hoops defender eyeing a return to frontline coaching.

O’Dea, who currently serves as Celtic’s Professional Player Pathway Manager, has been heavily linked with the assistant manager’s role under newly appointed Swansea boss Alan Sheehan, and now Rodgers has acknowledged those talks are real.

“Yes, I spoke to Darren yesterday on that. He came to see me and get my thoughts on what that would be, what it would look like.

“Obviously, I know Swansea as a club and a city better than most.

“So, yes, I think that there may well be a possibility of him to go as a coach. I think in his heart, he still sees himself as that.

“Probably the role he’s in now is probably only do-able at a club like Celtic. But I think his heart is in coaching and maybe the possibility to manage later on.

“So, yes, he just asked my opinion on it. And, yes, so we’ll see what happens on that.” [Celtic TV]

Rodgers, who managed the Welsh side between 2010 and 2012, understands the opportunity that lies ahead for O’Dea if the move materialises.

O’Dea has played a role in Celtic’s development pathway, previously managing the B team before stepping into his current strategic role. However, it’s clear Rodgers believes his former player is driven by the on-pitch side of the game.

If O’Dea does head to the Championship side, it would mark a significant step forward in his coaching journey and leave a gap in Celtic’s academy structure that may need to be filled ahead of pre-season.

It will see O’Dea involved with the senior game, an absolute necessity if he wants to have a career in coaching or even managing at a decent level.

There will likely be some movement in the next few days if the Celtic coach does indeed take up the position.