Neil Lennon has admitted that he’s had a private chat with Odsonne Edouard and explained what the Celtic striker “needs to do more often”.
Undoubtedly, Edouard was the start of the show in our 2-1 comeback win at St Johnstone today. He became the first Celtic striker since Moussa Dembele to score in six consecutive matches. In doing so, he bagged his eighth in only six games and is also now the first Hoops player to score 20 goals in three consecutive seasons since Gary Hooper.
Not a bad campaign for a player who’s struggled for the vast majority of it. He showed his class today yet again with two sublime finishes to turn zero points into three for Lennon’s side.
But the Celtic boss has stated that he’s had a talk with Edouard and explained what he wants him to do more of in the coming weeks and months.
Speaking to Sky Sports [Sky Sports Football, 14/02, 2:15], Lennon said: “Odsonne’s back to his very best. Not just his goalscoring but his play in general, particularly in the second half, was really really good.
“He was a little bit lacking that bit of sharpness in the first half. But in the second half he really came into his own. I thought his link-up play, his positional sense, and the way he was switching the play was good. And his two finishes are absolutely class.
“The first goal he needs to do more often – get across the front post. There was an opportunity to do that first half. I had a quick word with him about it. He will score more goals if he does that – it’s a real striker’s goal. And then the second is a brilliantly worked team goal – he had the real composure at the end of it.”
Edouard still the MVP; Celtic striker won’t be getting dropped anytime soon
This exactly why Odsonne won’t be getting dropped anytime soon. Lennon simply needs him in order to keep any hope of staying in the job – as much as we all hope for an injection of freshness in the dugout this summer.
The manager will view a winning run between now and the end of the season as the only way to put a case forward to Dermot Desmond and incoming Chief Executive Dominic McKay. Outside of that, Lennon has nothing to defend himself with.
Meanwhile, he has one of the most impressive young talents in Europe at his disposal. A player who will effectively now be playing to interest potential suitors in the summer. A player who knows he’s leaving Celtic and will want to give the fans something back before he departs.
Both Lennon and Edouard can help each other. Even if it’s a thought that Celtic fans don’t really want to entertain [Lennon staying in the job]. So don’t expect the manager to go experimenting with his strikers anytime soon. Don’t expect a run of games for Patryk Klimala or Albian Ajeti at the expense of Eddy.
You can argue whether that’s better for the club in the long-term. Whether we would be better playing one of the options who will more than likely be here next season. But it won’t happen. There’s too much on the line for both Lennon and Edouard.
And the manager will feel the Frenchman’s exploits today merit the backing of his manager.
In other news, Lennon has revealed the message he gave to his Celtic players at half-time.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
