CELTIC will face Rangers on Saturday with three points and a place at the summit of the SPFL Premiership at stake. Celtic’s preparations have been hampered by COVID-19 cases hitting players on International duty.
Odsonne Edouard was the first confirmed case while on France U21 duty. Ryan Christie tested negative but was identified as a close contact to ex-Celt Stuart Armstrong meaning he has to self isolate for 14 days. Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed have been struck by the virus whilst on Israel duty.
The Daily Record are reporting that Edouard will not be able to go to Lennoxtown until Friday, giving him a slim chance of making a Glasgow Derby cameo on Saturday.
Meanwhile his French and Celtic teammate Olivier Ntcham has said that Edouard is keeping himself active and feels great.
📞💬 @OlivierNtcham nous donne des nouvelles de @Oedouard22 :
« Odsonne est actif tous les jours pendant sa quarantaine en France. Le club et la FFF ont bien géré. Il se sent bien, sa santé est la chose la plus importante et je pense que tout le monde peut le comprendre. »— Celtic France (@Celtic_FR) October 14, 2020
“Odsonne is active every day during his quarantine in France. The club and the FFF have managed well. He feels great, his health is the most important thing and I think anyone can understand that.”
With Neil Lennon already short on options, Edouard could very well make the bench in the game against Rangers owing to the nine substitutes allowed, with five changes allowed to be made.
In the Betfred Cup Final, Edouard wasn’t fit to start but came on as a sub, won a free-kick which resulted in Christopher Jullien scoring.
If he is well and if he is fit, Neil Lennon would be prudent to bring him along due to the fear factor that he has over Gerrard’s side.
