Kilmarnock centre-back Stuart Findlay has been bigging up Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard, and wants to use the Frenchman to shoot himself into international contention today.
Findlay, who was on the books at Parkhead during his youth, will gear up against his boyhood side this afternoon. He already has a goal against the Hoops back in 2018, netting a last-minute winner in a 2-1 success at Rugby Park during the Brendan Rodgers days.
However, since then, the Scotland international has often been taught a lesson from Celtic’s star-striker. Edouard netted on his last visit to Rugby Park and has scored four goals in his last three against Alex Dyer’s outfit (Transfermarkt).
Findlay is looking for a different result this afternoon, but couldn’t help but admire Edouard in the build-up. Speaking to FourFourTwo, the Killie man said the following:
“It’s probably a good time to play this kind of game if you want to prove your merits. If I can go out on Sunday and play well then hopefully it will help my chances with Scotland.
“If you go into a game thinking a guy is unstoppable then nine times out of 10 he will do something to hurt you, so you can’t go in with that attitude. I’ll be the first to admit I respect him massively as a football player. I’ve said openly before he’s the best player I think I’ve played against in this league.
“But at the same time I trust myself as a player. I know he’s going to give me a very difficult game. However, I need to go into the game fully expecting I can handle him and show my qualities.”
Edouard will need to be at the top of his game
Findlay has so much motivation to put in a display for Killie this afternoon. He’s tasted the international scene before, and even netted for his country against San Marino. However, a good performance against Odsonne would prove to Scotland boss Steve Clarke that he could be the real deal.
The centre-back has also matured a lot since leaving Lennoxtown. Initially departing for Newcastle United, Findlay has found his level nicely at Rugby Park. But don’t go thinking Edouard will have it easy just because of his record against Kilmarnock in recent outings.
Findlay is an aggressive defender to play against. Granted, he was schooled with a beautiful piece of quality the last time Celtic took the trip to Ayrshire. But that will only anger the Kilmarnock man. He’s already a no-nonsense type defender who likes to get tight to his opponent and give them no room to operate, and won’t hesitate to go in with a meaty challenge if the opportunity presents itself. And no, that’s not a dig at him – he’s quite right to do so.
That will likely be a theme for Edouard this afternoon after he netted a hat-trick last weekend against Hamilton Academical on opening day. He can expect some close attention from Killie’s back-line as soon as he touches the ball. And considering this afternoon’s match will be played on astroturf, it’s all the more reason to be wary.
If we’re going to come out of Kilmarnock with a comfortable win and some more goals to our name, Edouard needs to be firing on all cylinders today.
In other news, Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer was full of positives for one Parkhead backroom member.
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