It's time for Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard to step up in Glasgow Derby

By Euan Davidson

April 17, 2021

Odsonne Edouard, Celtic striker, is a man in demand.

It seems certain that the Frenchman will be leaving us for either the Premier League or Serie A next season. Arsenal seem the main contenders, but AC Milan, Leicester City and others hold a candle for the Bhoys talisman [Telegraph].

Yet, if Edouard wants a move, he really needs to improve on his goalscoring form in big matches. Fine, he’s netted in a Scottish Cup Final [BBC] and in the Europa League, but his recent displays in Glasgow Derbies haven’t met his own lofty expectations.

Because, and make no mistake here, French Eddy loves these games. He’ll be his own harshest critic when it comes to his goal return in recent Derbies. Edouard hasn’t netted against our fiercest rivals this season [Transfermarkt]. By his own admission, that won’t be good enough.

The 23-year-old French youth international just hasn’t been able to breach Allan McGregor’s net in 20-21. While he’s performed well in general (despite immense criticism), none of his 21 goals in all competitions have come against the Gers [WhoScored?]. Tomorrow, he’s got to put that right.

Odsonne Edouard doing Odsonne Edouard-type stuff / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

More attacking Celtic can surely use Odsonne Edouard as a focal point

Edouard has become more of a provider in recent weeks. John Kennedy has brought back an attacking 4-2-3-1, with Eddy often coming deep to collect the ball and move it into good positions for James Forrest and Mohamed Elyounoussi.

That’s great, but it’s not the back page-stealing antics we’re used to from Edouard. You could pretty reasonably argue that we’ve been spoiled a little by his form over the last couple of seasons, and it’s little wonder why, with just over a year left on his contract, big clubs are very interested.

But of all the crucial goals he could score in the Green and White, an impact on the scoresheet tomorrow would be immense. If he’s really looking for a way out of Celtic, he needs to remind us, and watching clubs, of his propensity to shine in big moments.

It might seem ridiculous to pile more pressure on the French striker. Chris Sutton has claimed Edouard needs to “do something extraordinary” against our fiercest rivals to give back to the supporters. I’m not sure I necessarily agree with that; without Eddy’s goals we’d be even worse off than we are now.

But it is true that we’re looking to him to break his Derby duck tomorrow. We’ve seen him do it in style under immense pressure before.

Tomorrow is a huge opportunity for to shut up some critics after an arduous season.

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