Odsonne Edouard is fully committed to Celtic after being a part of key management discussions, according to John Kennedy.
Edouard struggled for the majority of the first half of the season. In Premiership action, he went on a pretty dismal run of two goals in 11 appearances. However, his form picked up towards the end of 2020.
The Frenchman found himself on the scoresheet against AC Milan, Hearts, Hamilton, and Dundee United over the course of December. He also came close to netting against Rangers too but for a last-ditch block from Connor Goldson.
Many are expecting Edouard to head for the exit door in the summer. However, Kennedy has revealed that he’s been involved in key discussions with the player and that his full focus is on Celtic.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, Kennedy said: “It was the same last season when we had the rumours and everything else, but Odsonne’s fully committed to what we’re doing here. We’ve had chats and discussions with him, as we do with all the players, and he’s very motivated to succeed and continue to succeed here.
“He realises what he’s been given here. He’s been given a platform to become what he has and he’s thankful for that.”
Edouard needs a huge 2021; management comments appear promising
If Celtic are to do what’s becoming the unthinkable and win 10-in-a-row, they need a big year from Edouard. We can’t have runs of no goals in six or seven games. We can’t have the odd superb performance followed by two or three extremely sloppy ones.
That’s not how this needs to work if we’re to take the 10 and make this a historic year. Edouard is going to play in every big game for Celtic. It’s fair to say that in too many of them he’s been far too quiet.
He may have come close to scoring at Ibrox, but he was generally quiet in the game. It wasn’t his usual all-actions how against our rivals. He won a few free-kicks and continues to make Goldson nervous. Outside of that, however, he didn’t contribute in the way we would’ve hoped.
But it’s promising to see that Kennedy and Neil Lennon have been involved in discussions with him. That’s an acknowledgement from the staff that he isn’t performing to the levels expected of him.
It’s even more promising that the player has reacted positively to those chats. Too often in football can the dummy be thrown out of the pram by elite talents when their form is questioned. Especially when they’re being linked with a move away from the club.
Edouard looks to be taking it all on board and seems in a good place to improve his performance levels. Good. Celtic need that. If his exploits don’t improve over the next few months, we can subsequently kiss the 10 goodbye.
In other news, Celtic have provided a Nick Hammond scouting update.
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