Chris Sutton expects Odsonne Edouard to play for Celtic in Glasgow derby

Add as preferred source on Google

Celtic legend Chris Sutton expects Odsonne Edouard to play for the Hoops in next Saturday’s Glasgow derby, the Daily Record reports.

Sutton has made this comment even though the player is currently self-isolating in France after testing positive for Covid-19. He won’t be able to return to Scotland until Friday.

However, he has qualified the statement a bit by suggesting that he will feature as long as he is keeping himself fit in self-isolation.

“The Edouard one is interesting. Much has been made of the fact he won’t be able to really train with his team-mates prior to the match, yet quite a few players won’t get back to their clubs together until the Friday” Sutton said, writing in his column in the Daily Record.

“Keeping up some fitness”

“Provided Edouard has some sort of way of keeping up some fitness while in his isolation, such as a treadmill in the house, he should be all right” Sutton concluded.

Some players might be away on international duty right enough. However, the difference between them and Edouard is that they don’t have the Covid-19 virus.

There is a difference between travel fatigue and a virus. Despite Sutton’s comments, Neil Lennon and the player himself will make the final decision about the game.

It does seem a tad unlikely that Edouard will start the game. He did take to social media this week to declare that he was ‘fine‘ though.

Could depend on fitness on other strikers

It could depend on the fitness of Albian Ajeti. Should he be fit, then he might well get the nod to start. Leigh Griffiths is also fit and back amongst the goals.

Edouard will no doubt currently be keeping fit as Sutton suggests. However, for the moment it might be better to leave him out of the squad until he has fully recovered from the virus.

Celtic have the players to cope with the Frenchman’s possible absence, even if they aren’t as good as Edouard can be.

Only time will tell if Sutton is correct about Edouard. It would be a bonus for the Hoops to have him in the squad, but naturally Edouard’s health comes first.

In other news, Pat Bonner is impressed with Vasilis Barkas’ ability to use his feet.