Edouard now a big-game star like Dembele, insists skipper

SCOTT BROWN has hailed Odsonne Edouard for effortlessly filling the boots of a £20million superstar striker. But the Celtic captain admits he is praying the 21-year-old doesn’t completely follow in the footsteps of Moussa Dembele by winning a big move away from Parkhead. Edouard has six goals to his name already this season, including the opener in the recent 2-0 victory over Rangers at Ibrox. During the international break, he scored twice against Albania for France Under-21s and netted a second brace against the Czech Republic. Now Brown fears that if the club’s record £9million signing from Paris Saint-Germain keeps up his fine form at home and in Europe, the big-game specialist will soon come to the attention of the full French national team as well as major clubs. ‘Odsonne Edouard has been a real breath of fresh air,’ he said. ‘We all knew Moussa Dembele would leave eventually and Odsonne would have to step up, but he has done it phenomenally well. ‘Just like Moussa, Odsonne came here to Celtic to show how good he was — and both are players who turn up in the big games. ‘It wouldn’t be a surprise if Odsonne gets a call-up to the full France squad. Not if he’s doing the business with the Under-21s and in the Europa League. That’s the test. ‘Moussa did it week after week for us and he got a huge move (to Lyon). ‘We want to make sure that Odsonne does it week after week, too — but that he stays with us!’ Brown believes the key to Edouard’s (right) success is that his relaxed demeanour off the park is somehow replicated on the pitch. ‘He is a very quiet guy, very chilled,’ said the Celtic skipper ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime visit to Hamilton. ‘He plays the same way because he’s always relaxed on the ball and he never gets annoyed. ‘Odsonne makes his runs and, when it doesn’t come off, he doesn’t throw up his arms and shout at everybody. ‘I think that’s what makes him the fantastic striker he is. ‘He knows when to hold it up for the team or to go one-on-one with someone and create a chance. ‘He has great football knowledge and it shows his maturity that he is playing up front on his own at 21. ‘He’s happy as Larry if someone else scores. If he scores, he looks kind of happy! I think he’s happy to be here. ‘Seriously, he speaks away and his English is getting better. He’s a good guy around the changing room, even if he’s quiet. ‘We have three great strikers at the club now with Odsonne, (Leigh) Griffiths and (Vakoun Issouf) Bayo all competing for a place in the team.’ Neil Lennon recently credited Brown with the decision to punt the ball long straight from kick-off at Ibrox, a ploy which hemmed Rangers in from the start of the match. But the Celtic captain insisted it was Edouard’s doing. ‘No, it wasn’t me,’ smiled Brown. I turned around and said: “What the **** are you doing, Odsonne?” I had said we wanted to start by pressing them up the park but I wanted the ball to come back first. My French must not be what it used to be. But I’m not going to lie, we got something from doing it.’ Meanwhile, Brown admits it was hard to watch Scotland losing back-to-back home Euro 2020 qualifiers against Russia and Belgium. But the twice-retired former national team skipper will not consider another return to the fold under Steve Clarke. ‘I would love to be able to keep playing for Scotland and go and help the boys,’ said Brown. ‘But you just know when the time is right for your body. ‘I do notice a huge difference resting over the international break. ‘I was still training but it’s not as hard as what the guys had to do in two tough games against Russia and Belgium. ‘I feel my body is as good as it can be now, because I am getting the extra rest.’ Clarke has faced criticism for an underwhelming start to his Scotland managerial career. But Brown is adamant that the former Kilmarnock boss is the best man to help end the nation’s 22-year exile from major tournament finals. ‘Steve will do a great job,’ said the Parkhead skipper. ‘He just needs that bit of time to figure out who is going to play where. ‘Hopefully he will get us to the Euros and a World Cup as well. ‘He is the right man at the right time. ‘Scotland fans will think we should win every game but Belgium and Russia are top quality and it was always going to be hard.’

Scott Brown was promoting a new sponsorship deal between energy firm Utilita and Celtic Women’s team.