‘Fatigued’ Edouard will be back
NEIL LENNON last night vowed that Odsonne Edouard will be fit for Thursday’s Europa League tie in Riga after the striker sat out the win that returned Celtic to the top of the Premiership table.
Edouard was omitted from the starting line-up against Livingston at Parkhead after complaining of fatigue but manager Lennon insisted there was nothing sinister in his absence, maintaining the Frenchman is not for sale.
Having sat out three matches with a thigh strain, Edouard played for the French Under-21 team during the international break and was then included in the Celtic team for games at Ross County and St Mirren.
Lennon expects the rest from yesterday’s 3-2 win will allow Scotland’s reigning Player of the Year to lead the line in Europe this week.
He said: ‘I spoke to him on Friday and he said he was struggling to start the game, so
you have to look after the player. We have a duty of care to him.
‘We’ve got him fresh for Thursday which is a very important game for us — and Hibs next week too.
‘He’s a great kid, his attitude has been absolutely fine. He is not causing any problems behind the scenes as far as I’m aware.
‘He was honest enough to say he wasn’t fit enough to start and I have to take his word on that.’
Doubts arose over the 22-year-old’s future when it emerged talks over a new contract had stalled over the summer. But Lennon insists there have been no bids for the player.
He continued: ‘We do not want to sell. We have had no bids or confirmed interest in him. I am hoping that, come the end of the window, he will still be a Celtic player.
‘Odsonne is not for sale. A lot of this is rumbling on behind the scene and it’s just speculation.
‘Odsonne will be fit and ready for Thursday and we know what a top player he can be.’
Edouard is not the only Celtic player to be linked with a move away from Glasgow, with defender Kristoffer Ajer also reported to be a target for AC Milan.
‘It is disappointing that these stories come out as it can be unsettling for the player,’ added Lennon. ‘There is no truth in it and he’s another we don’t want to sell.
‘We are having to deal with all the speculation but I’m oblivious to most of it. We just have to ignore the noise.’
After falling behind to a Jason Holt penalty, goals from Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Albian Ajeti put Celtic into a seemingly comfortable position.
A spectacular strike from Livingston wing-back Julien Serrano made for a nervy finish.
‘I thought the performance was better,’ added Lennon. ‘The only disappointment was the second goal. We made it too easy and it meant the last 10 minutes we played with a bit of trepidation.’
The win nudged Celtic ahead of Rangers on goals scored at the top of the league and Ajeti expressed delight at continuing his fine start to life at Parkhead.
‘I feel good and close to 100 per cent now,’ he said. ‘I’ve still got work to do but I was happy to start.
‘I didn’t expect a lot when I signed here. I just wanted to get back fit but I felt confidence from my team-mates and the gaffer.
‘From the beginning I’ve felt very comfortable.’