Ahead of what’s a monumental week of preparation for Neil Lennon, it’s important Celtic don’t get too hung up on Odsonne Edouard’s availability.
Edouard tested positive for Covid whilst on international duty with France under-21s last week. It’s left Celtic fans worrying over whether the former PSG starlet will be fit and available to face Rangers at Parkhead on Saturday.
It’s understandable too. Edouard has so often turned up against the Ibrox side in the past. He’s proven himself to be a big-game player, netting a crucial goal in the first derby of last season before changing the game in the Betfred Cup final back in December.
However, Celtic really can’t afford to be sucked into a way of thinking that makes us believe we can’t beat Rangers without him.
It’s looking as though the Hoops are going to have Albian Ajeti, Leigh Griffiths, and Patryk Klimala all available for selection respectively. Therefore, you can’t look at those options and think Celtic aren’t strong.
We’ve seen what Griffiths can do against Rangers in the past, whilst Ajeti has started his Celtic career on fire with five goals in six Premiership games. Whilst Edouard would undoubtedly be the club’s first-choice, there has to be a belief that our chances don’t rest solely on his shoulders.
Give him every chance, but don’t panic if he’s out
Peter Grant last week stated that he would give Edouard every chance and, so long as he gets a session or two in at Lennoxtown, he would throw him right into the team (Scottish Sun). You won’t find anyone who disagrees with that, but Edouard simply cannot get thrown in irrationally.
We need to make sure the Frenchman is at the peak of his powers and ready to be thrown in. If there is any slackness in his training or any signs that he isn’t quite ready, then Celtic can’t afford to act as though disaster has struck.
We have so much talent in reserve that there simply has to be a trust in them to do the business. Griffiths has already bagged several goals against Rangers, whilst Klimala and Ajeti have show
n really positive signs since coming to the club.
Celtic will undoubtedly give Edouard every chance to be fit, but our chances of success aren’t dependent on it. It’s absolutely vital that we all understand that.
You can’t say a team that has the likes of Shane Duffy, Callum McGregor, Moi Elyounoussi, Ajeti, Diego Laxalt, and Olivier Ntcham in it isn’t capable of putting Rangers to the sword.
If it’s safer to keep Edouard on the bench or out of the squad entirely then it simply must be done. No risks. We have too many games to go tossing him in if it isn’t the best decision for the long-term. We have such a talented squad at our disposal, and we must acknowledge that there’s more to this team than Eddy.
Here’s hoping he’s fit of course, but if he isn’t, we have plenty of ammunition to down Rangers. We’ve done it without Edouard before, and if necessary, we can do it again.
In other news, one Celtic star has silenced critics of Scottish football with two superb international displays.
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