Odsonne Edouard has been struggling with an injury leading up to Sunday’s League Cup final against the Rangers at Hampden Park. But now there is some optimism around the Celtic camp that the Frenchman could be fit in time to start on Sunday.
Edouard has been Celtic’s talisman for quite some time now, particularly in big games. He has scored 5 goals and provided 2 assists in just 7 appearances against the Rangers, and come up good multiple times in Europe. Thus, the Hoops fans cannot be blamed for being nervous about the Frenchman’s availability as the club prepare to challenge the Rangers for the first piece of silverware of the 2019/2020 Scottish season.
Edouard has missed Celtic’s last three games. While Leigh Griffiths struggles for form and fitness, and Bayo is out injured, Neil Lennon has been forced to deploy Lewis Morgan at striker. Thus, the Celtic boss’ recent comments about Edouard’s fitness will be music to the ears of the supporters.
Speaking to the Daily Record ahead of Sunday’s final, Neil Lennon said:
“Everyone is looking good. They all trained today.
“Most players are never 100 per cent fit. Some of them carry knocks, niggles, that kind of stuff.
“This one has only been 13 days today. It is not as if Odsonne is going to lose a lot in terms of his fitness.
The Celtic boss was also full of praise for the Frenchman and hailed him as ‘special’:
“He is a special talent. There are things he can do with the way he moves. He is so alive, he is deceptively quick. What has pleased me is the volume of goals he has got this season.
“His finishing has got a lot better. He is ice cold in certain situations, as well. His link-up play has got a lot better and some of his performances this season have been too drawer.”
Celtic have had their injury issues this season but things seem to be falling in place at just the right time. Other stars like Mohamed Elyounoussi, Boli Bolingoli and Jonny Hayes who were in doubt heading into the final have also been included in Celtic’s 21-man provisional squad.
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