DANIEL ARZANI made his comeback appearance for Celtic yesterday afternoon in the Reserves’ 1-1 draw with Hibs at Lennoxtown. The young Australian winger, on loan at Celtic from Manchester City, injured himself on his Celtic debut up at Dens Park at the end of October last year after coming on a substitute.
He also started on the bench yesterday before replacing Liam Burt after an hour but was unable to get a winner for the the young Celts.
Celtic, who are one of the sides who pulled out of the SPFL Reserve league, have entered a competition this season with Hibs, Aberdeen and the Rangers from Scotland and Huddersfield and Brentford from down south.
The SPFL can’t organise a reserve league and can’t get twelve teams to play on grass, when was the last tome Scotland qualified for a major tournament. Anyone else think all this stuff is linked?
Meanwhile a little more on the Odsonne Edouard interview yesterday, via his translator.
The French striker was asked about the fame and popularity he is experiencing in Scotland but says he remains quiet and humble away from the action on the field.
“There’s nothing special to say about me away from football. I’m quite discreet, reserved. There is not much to say.
“I am a simple guy, humble. If a fan stops me in the street and wants an autograph or a photo I will do it no problem. It’s not hard. On the contrary, it’s nice.
“I didn’t do that as a kid. Actually, I was really shy, so I wouldn’t even go and ask a player for an autograph or a photo.
“The only person I managed to get a picture with was Ronaldo, the great Brazilian striker.
“I managed to work up enough courage to go and ask him. I was 17, on tour in Miami with PSG for pre-season. It was incredible.
“I was playing in a tournament and when we walked into our hotel, he came out of the lift. I was speechless, but I went over to get my photograph taken with him and afterwards I was the happiest boy in the whole world.
“He was my idol as a young guy, mainly because of the way he played. He could do everything. He could score, pass, dribble – anything and everything.
“As a young player, I was also a number nine, so when you see a player who can do everything in your position, you just want to be the same as him.”
The hacks pointed out to Odsonne that Ronaldo moved from Barcelona to Real Madrid and they wondered if Edouard would ever consider moving to their own team across the city at Ibrox.
“No, never – it’s impossible!” French Eddie replied, as reported by Daily Record.
Edouard also spoke about the departure of his friend Moussa Dembele from Celtic and how that opened up more of an opportunity for him personally to show what he can do on the pitch.
“I enjoy what I’m doing so I don’t feel the need to escape any pressure.
“The departure of Moussa didn’t feel like it added pressure to me. It just gave me more playing time, more chances to play for the team – and that gave me more opportunity to show what I could do. That’s the natural way to look at it.
“We are also lucky this season to have three good strikers, all in form and with no injury problems.
“It’s much better for the team to have all the players at 100 per cent than maybe one at 70 per cent, because that doesn’t work.
“I’m in good form, but not the best of my life. There is still more to come. The important thing for me now is to carry on from where I am at the moment and continue in the same vein.
“I am pleased with the award as it is always nice to be recognised, but it’s not just about me it’s about my fellow players and the team.
“Five wins in five games doesn’t come from me, it comes from the performance of the team.”
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR…
Defiant Jozo, Eddie’s Translator Talk, ‘Demoted’ Clue on The Gates…see HERE.
Rangers ‘Illegally Demoted!’ As Grant says Celtic fans would never let their club die, unlike others!…see HERE.
‘I’m a Celtic player and I’m happy to be a Celtic player,’ Odsonne Edouard…see HERE.
‘Take some sort of astronomical bid’ for Celtic to sell Edouard, former Celt states…see HERE.
French Eyes on Poland as Celtic’s £7million summer signing targets Europa League Glory…see HERE.
‘My father’s 8 week ban from refereeing in 1969,’ Jim Callaghan…see HERE.
Read this Mr Beaton – Referee Mr Callaghan’s 8 week SFA Ban following Rangers Complaint…see HERE.
Away Winners – ‘We can do well without a lot of our fans,’ Hatem Abd Elhamed…see HERE.
It’s the real thing as Celts take the fizz out of Kokkola…see HERE.