Kennedy throws down gauntlet to Edouard in quest to sink Rangers

JOHN KENNEDY has personally challenged Odsonne Edouard to use next weekend’s Scottish Cup tie against Rangers to showcase the ruthless streak that will make him one of the game’s elite strikers.

Despite operating below full throttle in advance of an expected transfer out of Glasgow this summer, Edouard has still managed to outscore every other player in the country this term.

He hasn’t, though, come close to replicating the form that saw him crowned last season’s Scottish Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year.

Nor has he managed to land a telling blow on the newly-crowned champions. His delightful assist for Moi Elyounoussi in last month’s 1-1 draw at Parkhead served as reminder of his innate talent but Kennedy wants Edouard (below) to go the extra yard at Ibrox next weekend.

He said: ‘I absolutely love Odsonne in terms of what he gives to the team.

‘The only thing he has really been lacking in the last period is that clinical edge and we have spoken about that.

‘In terms of becoming a top striker, Odsonne has all the tools. I have worked with many a striker and in terms of the level he can go to, he can go to the very top.

‘But he is still young, he is still developing and working. He just needs to add that clinical edge.

‘You see your Benzemas and Lewandowskis, all the top guys, they are ruthless. So that is the next step for Odsonne and it would be very nice if he did that in the next game.’

Just as Edouard has looked disengaged for much of the season, so the Celtic defence has seemed to lack interest in defending cross balls against their greatest rivals.

Rangers have scored from set-pieces in all three Old Firm matches this term and Kennedy will aim to preach a gameplan that prioritises organisation at corners and free-kicks.

‘We have had our difficulties with that this season, it’s a challenge for us and we have to come up with the solutions.

‘We will continue to work on that but I’m not the kind of guy who focuses too much on the negatives.

‘Our consistency in the games has been good — I just want us to be clinical and more ruthless at the top end. Then, if you concede a goal out of nothing you know you have goals in the bag.’

Since Kennedy took over from Neil Lennon there has been a sense that Celtic have taken better control over matches, without finding a way to find a goal return to match.

‘Sometimes you go through periods in front of goal, where your confidence means you might not be as clinical as you can be. But that will come and I can see it coming.

‘What we have done is consolidated and been really solid and well organised. We haven’t really given up any big chances from open play in the last four games.

‘In terms of territory on the pitch we are dominating and keeping the other team away from goal, we’re creating chances.

‘It’s just about adding that final bit which is also the hardest.

‘Once you get into a bit of rhythm and flow it can change very quickly.’

Having already ceded the League Cup and Premiership title after the run of 12 straight successes, the Scottish Cup is the final chance to hang on to an honour.

While Rangers were comfortable winners in the first derby of the season back in October, Kennedy has seen enough in the last two meetings to convince him a big win is due.

‘The game at New Year we performed well until the sending-off then at Celtic Park we were excellent and dominated the game. ‘The next step is to go and win the game. To do that in a cup tie would be extra special, especially with how we want to finish the season.

‘It’s a good tie for us. An exciting game for everyone and we will be very much fired up for it.

‘This is an opportunity to hopefully bring a bit of pride back to the club and the team. It will be a tough game as we know but we are more than capable of going and winning that game and progressing in the cup.’ A win next weekend could have a transformative effect on Kennedy’s career prospects. Although Eddie Howe remains the preferred choice to take over at Celtic Park, Kennedy remains highly thought of within the club and may yet ascend to the post one day.

‘I think I can be a manager,’ he said. ‘In my time as a coach I have had time to work on that and I have never been in a rush. The environment has been good the people have been good and I have always continued to develop.

‘When that stops it’s time for the next challenge. ‘But where I am now I don’t need to be in a rush. I just need to deal with the situation we are in and probably come the summer we can sit down and reflect on what the next step is for me.’