Celtic manager Neil Lennon has claimed that French sensation Odsonne Edouard is “priceless”.
Edouard ended the campaign with a fine 23 goals. It was his debut season as Celtic’s number one striker, and he firmly made his mark on the big games.
Fresh off of a brace against Hearts in the Scottish Cup final, that was just one of Edouard’s fine outings for the club this season. Against the likes of Rangers, Hearts, and Aberdeen respectively, the former PSG man has bullied defences around. Vital goals in the Europa League group stage also helped him get in with the supporters.
At times it’s been easy to criticise his consistency. But for just 21 years of age, Edouard is producing tremendous numbers for a player spending only his second year out of his home country. And speaking to the Celtic View this week (Volume 54, Issue 44, Page 7), Lennon suggest no amount would interest Celtic this summer.
“Odsonne was so cool”
“Odsonne was amazing (against Hearts). He had a lot of time to think about the penalty as well. There was a lot of delay from the Hearts players before it, but Odsonne was so cool. His finish for the second was, again, so, so cool. He had a lot of time again to think about that one.
“He has been brilliant since I’ve come in, he’s been playing out there as a lone-striker, and to be fair he’s been the only striker in the building really. He’s carried that responsibility really, really well. The penalty was a pressure situation for him,and for a young man to have delivered in the way he always does, what a player he is.
“It’s funny because £9million these days, when you’re seeing the prices in England, it’s relative. Maybe that’s the prices we need to pay these days for young emerging talent. Odsonne has paid that back in spades now, he might be priceless, and he’s mae this team immortal.”
He’ll have a price, but goodness knows what it is
We all know if Celtic got offered a staggering amount, Edouard would be out the door. That’s just the football is, and Celtic operate the way a business always does. But what an asset he has been to the club this season.
Keeping him this summer is of massive importance to Celtic’s plans. Leigh Griffiths hasn’t played in five months now, whilst Vakoun Issouf Bayo hasn’t played more than several minutes for the club. Edouard’s stay as number one striker can’t be overemphasised in terms of importance.
Lennon has managed to get him clicking again since coming in the door. Edouard managed seven goals under Lenny including last-minute strikes against Hearts and Dundee, as well as important goals against Aberdeen and Rangers respectively. He’s proven to be the man for the big occasion.
Whilst you can question whether he’s made the same impact as Moussa Dembele, he’s certainly doing enough to make his mark here. Edouard is starting to seriously thrive on responsibility and appears to be maturing by the week.
The fact he hasn’t been linked with other clubs is a mystery. Not that we would welcome it of course, but his goal record has been positive this year.
Celtic have him nailed down on a four-year deal signed last summer, so his future is in Celtic’s hands. And, to put it bluntly, what a commodity they have on their books in the big man.
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