Big Bad John Hartson believes Eddie Howe can keep key players like Odsonne Edouard at Celtic.
The former Bhoys striker, who was convinced to move to Glasgow by Martin O’Neill, knows all about managers with presence. Hartson also played under Harry Redknapp [Goal], as well as Arsene Wenger. And although Wenger himself couldn’t convince the Welshman to stick around at Arsenal, he believes Howe will have pulling power at Celtic.
Speaking to Go Radio, Hartson said:
“There’s almost a school of thought and expectancy from everyone, and I mean everyone, that he’s going.
“The club might well not get the right transfer fee for him, somebody’s got to come in and pay the money Celtic value him at.
“I actually know that Edouard loves playing for Celtic. He really, really does.
“Everybody seems to think, and I’m the worst culprit for it, I’ve been saying Edouard will go, what’s he worth? What’s he going to go for?
“But, listen, it wouldn’t be beyond all reason if he was to stay. What if Eddie Howe comes and is saying to the owners, “look, I want to come and by the way I love this kid we’ve got, this centre-forward Edouard. I would love to keep him, give me half an hour with him”?
“We don’t know these things.
“There is this thought process that he will leave. But he said today he can’t wait to play in front of the fans again.”
John Hartson could be on to something with Eddie Howe and Edouard
We’re not suggesting John Hartson reads 67 Hail Hail, but these are interesting, and very correct opinions. If he does, hello John, hope you’re well. Send us an email.
Because, yes: Eddie Howe has convinced some fantastic players to move to Bournemouth, in the past. Nathan Aké, Asmir Begovic and Jack Wilshere have been sold by Howe’s vision. Young prospects with offers across Europe chose the south coast. Don’t get me wrong; I’ve been to Bournemouth, and it’s dead nice. A footballing epicentre, though, it is not.
So, clearly his powers of persuasion work with new signings. He’s also, though, kept a core of a team intact through a rise up the leagues. When in the Premier League, he fostered a great deal of loyalty, and got good prices for the likes of Benik Afobe and Tyrone Mings.
Hartson is right. We’re talking players out of the door when it’s more than feasible we could keep them. Whether or not we should sell certain players, specifically Edouard, to recoup some much-needed transfer funds, is neither here nor there.
We’ve seen far stranger things happen. Hartson could be onto something here.
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