Bren: We’ll keep hero Ed
Brendan Rodgers watched on-loan PSG kid Odsonne Edouard bag a hat-trick – then revealed the Hoops may sign him permanently.
The 19-year-old French striker is at Parkhead until the end of the season and was deadly against Motherwell in a 5-1 romp.
The Celtic gaffer heaped praise on the frontman and claimed there’s a chance he could sign a long-term deal at the club.
Edouard has waited for a chance to shine with Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths ahead of him in the pecking order.
But Rodgers said: “He put in a complete performance. Odsonne’s a big talent who has been unfortunate not to have had more game time.
“I felt we needed more movement in front of Motherwell and in behind them so we decided to go with him.
“And it was as good a
display as you’ll see from a young player at that age. He had everything.
“He now needs to be a real killer in the box like he showed for his first goal. For his second he finished it really well and the third is great anticipation from him.
“He has really settled in now after having to bide his time.
“You can see the quality he has and there’s the possibility to sign him at the end of the loan.”
Celtic also have Patrick Roberts on loan from Manchester City but the winger could now be out for three months with a torn hamstring.
He has returned to his parent club for treatment and Rodgers says it’s an opportunity for others to shine.
He said: “It’s a big blow losing Patrick for three months because we need all the talent in our squad.
“It’s not ideal for us so he has gone back to Man City for treatment and will be out until the new year.
“He’s their player so they’ll have a look. Hopefully he’ll be back soon and that’s why we have a big squad. Jonny Hayes was excellent today.”
Former Liverpool boss Rodgers has been linked with a return south himself and has revealed Premier League clubs have already failed in bids to snare him from Celtic.
It’s understood old club Swansea and West Ham made enquiries about the Hoops gaffer’s availability when they were looking for a new manager.
But the approaches were rebuffed by Rodgers and the Parkhead board.
He said: “Yes, I’ve been aware of possibilities – as have the club. But it’s not on my radar at all. I’m very happy.
“I’m 44 so hopefully I’ll have another 20 years as a manager. My love for Celtic brought me here so I’m not running away from it quickly.
“I have a real contentment at Celtic and I’m ambitious for the club.
“There is a test for me here despite what people might say. There are not many clubs in Britain where you have to win virtually every game.
“I also really enjoy living up here. The Premier League is brilliant, I loved it there and it’s not to say I won’t go back one day. “But it’s not a notion I’m even thinking about right now. “I might get more money elsewhere but what I’ve learnt is happiness is the most important
thing.”