THE CELTIC STAR broke the news on Sunday, shortly after the final whistle at McDiarmid Park, that the word in France was that Odsonne Edouard was set to agree a deal with Celtic that would keep him at the club until the end of next season, which would in all probability be the campaign where Celtic can win ten-in-a-row.
We reported on Get French Football News – who have been reliable in the past when dealing with Celtic’s French contingent saying “Celtic are hoping to ward off Europe’s elite this summer by offering 22-year-old striker Odsonne Édouard a wage hike & a gentlemen’s agreement that he can leave in June 2021.”
Later that night the story appeared in the Daily Record and the the Scottish Sun and yesterday Celtic sites were picking up on it reporting from The Daily Record’s story that “Edouard was on the brink”.
Our headline didn’t go down the click-bait route either, simply saying “Mixed news for Celtic as star tipped to sign new contract but will be allowed to leave in 2021”
Yesterday Neil Lennon was asked about this news coming out of France, and of course about whether he’d like Odsonne Edouard to sign a new contract and stay on at Celtic.
“But according to the Daily Record and Get French Football News,” the Scottish Sun said…maybe more accurately would have been to say “But according to The Celtic Star and Get French Football News,”…with the “Edouard on the Brink” story also referring to the Record as the source for the story.
It came from Get French Football News and was first reported in the UK by The Celtic Star on Sunday afternoon.
Today Scottish Sun are at least more accurate in saying that “Reports in France claim Edouard’s advisors are discussing an extension to his current Hoops deal, which has two and a half years to run.”
And they go on to quote Neil Lennon after he was asked about his yesterday. Lennon said he isn’t aware of any news on this deal from the club’s point of view and also pointed out that the story was from French sources ie not the Daily Record.
“You’re asking the wrong man. I’d give him a five-year deal tomorrow if I could, but I don’t know anything about that.
“I would know if there were talks. If there’s something in the offing then that would be great, but I haven’t touched on it with Peter Lawwell yet.
“He’s improving all the time. He is a talismanic player for us and he’s been absolutely magnificent this season. There’s more to come from him and I hope he’s doing that here with us.
“I think there is improvement in him. He can get better. But he is already a highly talented player.”
And when asked if he would advise Odsonne to stay on at Celtic – can these questions get any dafter? – Lenny was also clear and to the point. “Yeah, why not? But I don’t know what’s out there for him.
“I’m sure there’s plenty of suitors, so it won’t be down to my decision. I will do all I can to keep him. We’ll wait and see.
“He’s not the type to be banging down your door. He seems quite happy. He is laid-back. He’s got 27 goals already this season and I think he can get to 30 comfortably.
“That would be a wonderful season for him, but it’s not just his goals. His all-round game has been absolutely superb.”
Maybe this is a good time to mention that Celtic PR operation needs to have a look at the ‘Journalists’ and the Media Organisations that they facilitate in order to get the club’s news and stories out to the Celtic Support.
Over the past few months we have had The ITN Scottish Correspondent sitting in the Press Box at the Glasgow Derby then defaming the Celtic Support saying he’d seen a video that proved Celtic fans were racially abusing Morelos on 29 December – but when challenged went to ground and would not share the video. He should be banned for life.
Then last week we had Alex Thomson, the Chief Correspondent at Channel 4 News stand outside Celtic Park claiming that the old Pools and Ticket Office had been used by Celtic Boys club and also complete nonsense about Celtic opening doors for a trip to England in the early 1970s – garbage journalism.
The Celtic Star fought Celtic’s corner on these stories but when we want to use quotes from our players or manager, we have to quote second hand from the MSM. And to be clear that is down to Celtic.
Geo was at Perth on Sunday and supplied great photos to the Celtic fans media. If that game would have been at Celtic Park that would not have happened.
Celtic need to engage properly with the fans media as it is in 2020. Sites like this want no cosy relationships with directors or padded seat access. But the media landscape has changed and Celtic should update their approach to it. There are numerous Celtic sites – the ones run by Celtic Supporters – that could and should have some access to the club.
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