Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard has admitted he wants to follow in the footsteps of big name forwards as he speaks about how he has developed at Parkhead this season – so could lightning strike twice in Glasgow?
The Frenchman arrived at the club in a record breaking deal last summer after a season on loan with the Hoops and has impressed once again with 14 goals in 28 league appearances.
Insisting he had no regrets joining the Bhoys, the 21-year-old has stated that he wants to be one of the best in the world – which will be giving Celtic fans flashbacks of Moussa Dembele’s exit from Celtic Park.
What has been said?
Speaking about his switch from PSG to Parkhead Edouard told L’Equipe, as relayed by the Daily Record: From the moment I made that choice, I assume it, I have no regrets. There is inevitably a risk when leaving. But in staying as well.
“I do not set limits, I want to be one of the best attackers. And the big ones, they acquired maturity while playing. I always had confidence in my abilities. But here this season I have achieved a lot. In all aspects of my game – tactical, physical – I feel that I have evolved. I have more maturity. The more I play, the more I am developing and I know I can do more.”
Leaving PSG cannot have been an easy decision – after all, they are European giants and he could have had a taste of Champions League football had he remained in the French capital.
Instead he is battling out for the Scottish title – an achievement, but hardly the most challenging of aspirations for a footballer.
Why should Celtic be worried?
They have already seen one talented French forward depart the club in the last 12 months in the hunt for bigger and brighter things and considering how well Edouard has been performing there has got to be some interest – both from the player and from other clubs – in a move sooner rather than later.
If Edouard wants to hit the heights he believes he can then Scotland is not the place for him. He is not testing himself against top quality players and he will not be noticed by the national selectors, which must surely be an aspiration for the youngster, until he is playing at a much higher level.
Last summer it was Dembele – could lightning hit Celtic Park twice in a year this time around?