Why Celtic need to play it just right to get Odsonne Edouard to fire them to ten-in-a-row

Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard hasn't been at his best so far this season. Picture: SNS

Yesterday it was reported Celtic turned down a low-ball offer for star striker Odsonne Edouard. While it was undoubtedly the right decision on their part, it does raise some interesting questions about the striker’s short and long-term future at Celtic, as Craig Fowler explains...

January represents an interesting conundrum for Celtic and Odsonne Edouard. Between now and then it’s imperative they get their leading marksman firing on all cylinders. If he’s playing to the level that we know he’s capable of, Celtic can continue to consistently underwhelm in Scottish Premiership fixtures and still find themselves within a game of Rangers at the top of the table when the team’s next meet. But as Neil Lennon himself admitted, Edouard’s head turned to mush in the summer window when the possibility of a move away from Parkhead weighed heavy. Even if he climbs back to the top of the goal charts, can we not expect another subdued period around the next transfer window if he really wants to leave a club that’s failed in each of the last three years to reach the Champions League? And wouldn’t that be optimum time to sell him? He’s only got 18 months left on his deal. His value will start dropping once next February comes around.

What next?

It looks highly unlikely at the moment he’d sign a new deal, even if Celtic drove a bin lorry full of money up to his house. He’ll have aspirations of playing at one of the richest clubs in Europe and making himself a regular in the French national team. The reputation of the SPFL will almost certainly limit his chances of that dream being realised if he stays in Glasgow.

In any normal season Celtic’s play would be straightforward. Promise Edouard he’ll be sold in January if he knuckles down and finds the net with consistency. But this isn’t any normal season. This is potentially the ten-in-a-row season. If the Celtic board decide to sell their best player in January and Rangers take the title, they may as well send individual letters to every supporter telling them to ‘p*** off’. The damage wouldn’t be any worse.

So Edouard has to remain. He has to stay motivated for the entire season and Celtic need to get him back to playing at his best. It’s not hyperbolic to say this is the most crucial man-management job Lennon has faced in his entire managerial career, which is an observation which could extend to the whole squad the way things are at present. Edouard, Ryan Christie, Olivier Ntcham, Kristoffer Ajer; all big players who’ve been linked with moves away with Parkhead and have underperformed this season; all players Lennon needs to be at their best for Celtic to take this title. Whether it’s an arm round the shoulder or a blast of the hairdryer, he needs to find the right words.

Rest of the team

Outside of motivation techniques, there is something he could do to try and kick-start Celtic’s season, and that’s move away from the 3-5-2.

It previously freshened things up when Lennon switched to it last season, but it’s been evident so far this campaign that a temporary fix shouldn’t necessarily be a long-term strategy. Lennon has previously stated his belief that it’s the best formation to suit the current squad, though that doesn’t stand up much to scrutiny.

It forces one of James Forrest or Jeremie Frimpong (when both fit) out of the starting XI unless the other is playing out of position – and you could argue Forrest at this stage of his career would be out of position at wing-back anyway. It subtracts a forward player for another defender – a centre-back at that – in matches where Celtic don’t need the extra cover, especially if Scott Brown is going to play every game as a protective shield in front of the back-line. It leaves little room for Mohamed Elyounoussi or, when he returns, Mikey Johnston in which to thrive. Then there was the issue at left wing-back with Greg Taylor evidently not suited to the attacking demands of the role compared to his preferred position at full-back. The signing of Diego Laxalt may fix that issue now, but it was another to add to a significant list undermining the use of the three-at-the-back system.

If Lennon decides to alter the shape he’ll likely go back to the 4-1-4-1 that’s served the reigning champions so well over the past few seasons. In Edouard he has a forward perfect for such a formation. The Frenchman has both the ball control and strength to hold up play. He has the technique, positioning and awareness to link effectively with team-mates. And, most importantly, his movement in the final third and typically composed finishing make him the deadliest striker in the league in addition to everything else he brings to the team.

Health

One caveat could be the after effects of Covid-19. The majority of footballers seem to have returned to action with no adverse impact on their health. But young, fit and healthy people elsewhere in society have reported feeling lethargic and easily out of breath for weeks and sometimes months after contracting the potentially deadly virus. Lennon has all but ruled him out of the Milan clash and indicated the illness may have “taken something out” of the player.

Hopefully this is just a precaution and he’s back in the squad soon, feeling focused and ready to drive Celtic forward from this point. While a change in the winner of any competition this season would be good for the competitiveness of Scottish football, we still want to see the league’s best talents performing at their best. Whether Edouard gets back to that level depends on a wide range of factors. It’s imperative Celtic get them just right.

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