HIS OWN TIME at Celtic was just too short and these days it’s the biggest cause of regret that he has about his own playing career. When he arrived he was sensational and had he stayed longer then who knows what a difference he would have made to the Celtic story.

Now though in an exclusive interview with David Friel at Scottish Sun, George Cadete has a message for Celtic’s latest sensational striker, Odsonne Edouard and it is don’t make the same mistake as he did by leaving Celtic too soon.

The current situation is that after completing his one year loan deal from Paris Saint Germain, Odsonne signed a four year deal with Celtic in June 2018. Therefore he is half way through his contract and such has been the impact that he has made for both Celtic and last season for the French Under 21 side, that he is a much sought after player in England, back home in France and at big clubs around Europe.

However he is in no immediate rush to leave Celtic and a contract extension has been discussed since The Celtic Star broke the news back in early February that the French striker was interested in extending his stay in Scotland to make sure that he’d be here for Ten in a Row.

After the Nine was achieved, under circumstances no-one could have predicted in February, Odsonne started to pick up various Player of the Year Awards, including on The Celtic Star were around 12,000 supporters voted once and decided that Odsonne would be out Player of the Year.

“To win Player of the Year at 22 is fantastic. But I did it when I was 21 in Portugal! No, Edouard is a top striker and I am always happy to see people in that position recognised.

“Sometimes the guy who scores all the goals doesn’t get enough credit. People take it for granted. But Edouard deserved all the awards this season because he was excellent for Celtic.

“He scores goals, he has skill, he is quick and he is getting stronger all the time. I see him improving as a player and his importance to Celtic this season was clear,” Cadete stated.

Last weekend Odsonne made it known that he’s planning on being part of the Ten campaign and then he’d see what happens but the ‘Score with Ease’ Portuguese former Celtic hero reckons he should be looking at a much longer stay in Paradise.

“What would I do? I would ask for a long-term contract and sign it. People are talking about one year. Why not five?

“He’s only 22. He won’t reach his peak as a player until 29. I know that clubs are interested in Edouard and he will have a lot of options this summer.

“But staying at Celtic is the right thing for him. Next season is a chance to make history. He is at a great club, with passionate supporters and he could be part of something really special. Everyone who has ever played with Celtic knows about ten in a row and what it means,” Cadete said.

“In my time, we were trying to stop Rangers doing it. Now Celtic are one more title away from it and I expect Edouard will want to be part of that.

“He will go to a bigger league one day but there is no rush. At 22, he’s still so young. There are so many years ahead of him. If he stays at Celtic longer even more clubs will want him.

“For me, it’s the perfect place for him to keep developing as a striker and get regular games. At his age, it’s all about learning and picking up experience and he’s doing that at a great club.

“That is the dream for most players at 22 so if I was Edouard I would not be looking to leave,” Cadete said.

Cadete also reckons that Edouard is worthy of his new deal on much improved money and also points out that the cost that Celtic would have to shell out on a suitable replacement would be significant. ‘Aye right’ say all Peter Lawwell watchers out there!

“To get top players, you need to pay top money. That’s how football works,” Cadete explained. “Celtic gave Edouard a chance of first-team football and they have been fantastic for him.

“But he’s also brought them a lot of success so I think he deserves a bit extra in wages. It would be wise to spend the money like this. It helps the team and it keeps the player happy.

“And if the wage increase leads to ten-in-a-row for Celtic then it will all be worth it.”