The name Jean-Claude Giuntini isn’t a name I’d come across until this afternoon. Yet it is one Celtic fans should be rather thankful for.
Giuntini was the coach of the French National team’s under-17 side who won the European Championship in 2015 and the man who decided that Odsonne Edouard, rather than a young Kylian Mbappe should lead the line for France.
From an opening match 5-0 win over Scotland, Edouard didn’t look back as France won the tournament defeating Germany 4-1 in the final. He scored in that opening game and bookended his scoring spree with a hat-trick in the final, as Edouard scored eight goals in six games and was named player of the tournament.
Even at such a young age the selflessness of the star striker was reflected in his post tournament quotes. It would have been easy to bask in the glory of such successful personal achievement but for French Eddy it was all about his teammates:
“It’s a massive pleasure to be a European champion. It’s very satisfying to be top scorer, but more so because we won the competition. The honour is down to the work of everyone in the team.”
Odsonne may well have deflected from the off field headlines but Giuntini certainly saw a blossoming of confidence as well as ability. The French coach who has spent the last ten years coaching the French conveyer belt of footballing talent had this to say on Edouard when speaking to the BBC: “At the beginning, Odsonne was a bit quiet then he became more and more open, with a jokey and mischievous side.
“He had the confidence and the obsession with scoring all great strikers need. He never doubts his qualities. But this behaviour can create panic – for the opposition defenders.
“He had an excellent sense of anticipation which gave him a remarkable ability to read play. And he had a considerable skill for shooting – his efforts were targeted, precise and powerful.”
That’s a habit Odsonne Edouard has taken into Scottish football. Since a supporting role to Moussa Dembele in his first season on loan from PSG, before a £9million deal that saw the move become permanent, Odsonne has scored a highly impressive 62 in 126 games for the provisional 9-in-a-row Scottish champions.
Until this season was halted due to the Covid-19 outbreak Edouard would have smashed through the 30 goal barrier sitting as he was on 28 when the season was paused.
Edouard has continued that upward trajectory through the French nation team’s age groups and after 11 goals in just 6 games at Under 21 level, there is no doubt he will be looking to break through into the full French national side.
Giuntini however believes the trick to that final step is regular first team football. Edouard’s coach believes both Celtic and player have worked out well for each other since the strikers’ decision to leave French club football, and perhaps that doesn’t need to end just yet: “It is always complicated for a young player to leave his reassuring environment,” said Giuntini.
“But Odsonne probably needed to go elsewhere for new challenges in a different context. Moving to Celtic helped him to grow up. He is performing very well and feels loved by the Celtic fans. I feel very happy for this endearing boy.”
“The most important thing for Odsonne is to keep playing regular football,” Giuntini commented on Edouard’s national team prospects. “He needs to accumulate confidence and maturity to keep up his improvement.
“A call-up to the France squad would be wonderful for him. He must and can still improve – because this last step is the most difficult.”
And what about that initial decision to choose Edouard over Mbappe? Giuntini explains that with ease: “At the time, Mbappe was in construction. We needed to give him time to bring him in calmly at international level. But for an under-17 player, Odsonne had impressive emotional control, especially in front of goal.”
That ice in veins approach to pressure situations certainly hasn’t left Odsonne Edouard, if anything it’s grown alongside the development of his all round game at Celtic.
We’ve Giuntini to thank for noticing and gambling on French Eddy in 2015. Celtic are reaping the rewards now. With a little luck and a persuasive contract offer Odsonne Edouard could win 10-in-a-row and break through to the French national team at the same time.
I’m sure Jean-Claude Giuntini could persuade Peter Lawwell to make that contract offer and encourage French Eddy to sign it.
Niall J
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR TODAY…
‘That’ll teach ’em’ – Bears Rejoicing as Ladbrokes kicked out of Ibrox but all is not as it seems…https://t.co/bKiRstMgbO
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) April 14, 2020
‘Nuts’ – On the Buses, Battle of the Bulge and the Man from Dens Park said Yes…https://t.co/HnvollBFuF
— The Celtic Star Editor (@CelticStarMag) April 14, 2020
Support Celtic Youth Development
Help raise money for Celtic Youth Development by joining the £1 weekly lottery and you could win up to £25,000 – just click on any one of the photographs below to join. Lots of our readers have already done so and they’re now doing their bit to help fund Celtic Youth Development that can deliver the stars of tomorrow and beyond. And you might even win a few bob too! And a special thank you to all The Celtic Star readers who have already signed up and are now supporting youth development to give us the Celtic Stars of the future…
Take The Celtic Star’s Photo Tour of Celtic Park and enjoy our stunning photos from inside Paradise RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.
