O'Donnell fell to the ground just as he was about to be substituted in the closing stages of Motherwell's 5-3 victory. He was then treated on the field for around five minutes before being taken to a waiting ambulance. However, in spite of the efforts of the two club's medical staff and medical staff at the hospital, he did not regain consciousness and was pronounced dead shortly after the match.

O'Donnell began his career at Motherwell where at the age of 18 he won a Scottish Cup Winners Medal against Dundee United. His rising form led him to be capped by Scotland and he earnt a move to Celtic where he stayed for five years before moving to Sheffield Wednesday. After a largely unhappy and injury strewn spell at Hillsborough, he moved back to Motherwell in 2004 and was also made club captain in 2006.

Motherwell's next fixture - against Hibs on Wednesday - has been postponed.