Celtic peaking 'at exactly right time' - O'Dea

Darren O'Dea believes Celtic are peaking at the perfect time as they attempt to reel in Hearts at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

The defending champions trail the Tynecastle outfit by one point with two matches to play after they came from behind to beat Rangers 3-1 on Sunday.

They host Hearts on the final day of the season, but first travel to Motherwell on Wednesday.

Celtic have turned to Martin O'Neill as interim manager twice this season after Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy left and the veteran Northern Irishman has navigated difficulties both on and off the pitch.

"Celtic have been criticised for their performances and recruitment but something that has gone under the radar is the really big players missing through injury," O'Dea said, talking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"Carter-Vickers, Jota and the two that have come back in – Johnston and Engels.

"Some players need time to get back up to speed, but you can see how they have instantly impacted the team.

"I haven't felt fully confident with Celtic all season because the performance levels haven't been there. The one thing you can never question is their mentality and their ability to get things done.

"But the performance against Rangers was a really good level, especially after going behind early.

"And now there is a good synergy with the team and the crowd at Celtic Park again.

"When you start adding these ingredients, it's starting to come together at exactly the right time.

"If they can get to that last game against Hearts and make it essentially a final, I fully expect Celtic to go and win. Even if it goes to goal difference, I can see them overcoming that, winning two or three nil."