EDOUARD SHOULD MISS OUT, SAYS HATELEY

MARK HATELEY last night insisted Celtic talisman Odsonne Edouard should be banned for tomorrow’s Old Firm showdown at Ibrox.

The legendary former Rangers striker believes referee Willie Collum should have sent the French forward off for a challenge on Peter Pawlett during Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Dundee United at Parkhead.

Hateley likened the incident to Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos catching Dundee United’s Mark Connolly last month and subsequently being handed a retrospective two-game ban by the Scottish FA.

The SFA’s compliance officer could yet take retrospective action against Edouard but that cannot happen until early next week because the SFA offices are closed during the festive period.

And Hateley believes Celtic have been handed a lucky break ahead of tomorrow’s derby as Neil Lennon’s men aim to cut into Rangers’ 16-point lead.

The nine-in-a-row striker said: ‘It’s a

lunge, it’s an out-of-control tackle, it’s over the top of the ball and there’s contact. Willie Collum is standing about ten feet away looking straight at it. ‘It’s a dangerous challenge and it’s a red-card offence. So he should be out of the Old Firm game. ‘And he would be a huge miss for them in what is such an important game. ‘He’s got that X-factor that any team would like to have. ‘You look at Alfredo Morelos’ challenge in the Dundee United game when he used his arm. ‘I said straight away that it was a red card and he should have gone. He was subsequently offered a two-match ban and the club accepted it. ‘This is what should happen with Edouard. I fully expect the same scenario to unfold. ‘But it seems that the SFA’s fast-track process isn’t fast enough — although Celtic would probably appeal it anyway.’ Meanwhile, Ryan Christie has urged Celtic to head to Ibrox and gain revenge for the damaging 2-0 Old Firm loss to Rangers at Parkhead. After two goals from Connor Goldson gave Steven Gerrard’s side victory in the east end of Glasgow in October, Lennon’s men went on a calamitous run of just two wins in 12 matches.

And now the nine-in-a-row champions travel across the city on the back of an unbeaten run of seven games, where they also lifted last season’s Scottish Cup after a penalty shoot-out success over Hearts. And even though Rangers have a 16-point lead — having played three games more than their Old Firm rivals — Christie insists it is not win or bust for Celtic. ‘Is it a must-win game? No, there is still half a season to go,’ admitted the Scotland international. ‘We want to win, first and foremost, and get a bit of revenge for the first derby. ‘We are desperate to win it and come out the other side. ‘But there are still plenty of games to be played to find out who has won the league.’ Christie, along with Nir Bitton, Hatem Abd Elhamed and Edouard all missed the first Old Firm match in the wake of Covid-19 outbreaks during the October international break. He believes those who are fit and ready to play are even more determined to make their mark at Ibrox. He said: ‘It was frustrating watching it from home the way it panned out the last time. ‘There were a few boys that missed out on that game that will be desperate to be involved in this one and get a taste of it for the first time this season.’