Odsonne Édouard is in Celtic’s past it that’s the way it should stay

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The Celtic Star

·25 aprile 2025

Odsonne Édouard is in Celtic’s past it that’s the way it should stay

Rumours have been circulating recently around our summer search for a new striker after failing to replace Kyogo when he left for Rennes in January…

F.C. Copenhagen Vs Brøndby IF in Copenhagen, Denmark – 13 April 2025 Mathias Kvistgaarden (36) of Brøndby IF celebrates after scoring their first goal during the Danish 3F Superliga match between F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF at Parken Stadium. Final score: F.C. Copenhagen 1 – 2 Brøndby IF Because of incidents at previous matches between F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF, no away fans are permitted at the match. Copenhagen Denmark Photo: Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg

A couple of names that have been regurgitated once again include Brøndby attacker Mathias Kvistgaarden and Slovan Bratislava’s David Strelec, two players we seem to be constantly linked with the past year or so.

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Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich runs with the ball from David Strelec of SK Slovan Bratislava during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

One of the more left field rumours has been around our former player, Crystal Palace striker Odsonne Édouard. I read one of my colleague’s articles regarding the possibility of the Frenchman returning and I have to say that when it comes to ‘French Eddie’ returning, I’m totally against the idea.

Odsonne Edouard of Celtic (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Édouard originally joined Celtic back in the summer of 2017

Édouard originally joined Celtic back in the summer of 2017 on an initial season long loan deal from PSG. After making a good impression during that time Celtic paid out around £9m to sign him permanently in a deal which we were all excited by. He would go on to score an impressive 87 goals in 179 games for Celtic and became a certified fan favourite. His song became beloved by us all and is up there with the Stuart Armstrong one as being one of the best songs in the past decade.

Odsonne Edouard was adored by the Celtic support. What a song he had!

Unfortunately Odsonne’s final season at Celtic Park is one that I can’t forget

Unfortunately Odsonne’s final season at Celtic Park is one that I can’t forget, although he was far from the worst offender during the dreaded ‘covid’ season. He became one of the infamous ‘wantaways’ along with Kristopher Ajer and Ryan Christie during that period and I remember becoming more and more frustrated with him as the season progressed.

Odsonne Edouard of Celtic celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premiership match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on November 23, 2019. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Now don’t get me wrong even though it was clear he wanted away, he still scored goals that season. To me however it was more his attitude during that time. I got the feeling he got above his station and started feeling like he was better than Celtic and deserved his shot at the Premier League.

It would drive me mad watching his languid style, often taking far too long trying to create the perfect goal instead of just hitting it. I felt like he only wanted special goals he could add to his highlight reel.

When you compare Édouard to Daizen Maeda it would be hard to find two strikers more different

When you compare Édouard to Daizen Maeda it would be hard to find two strikers more different. Édouard was the type of player who seemed naturally gifted with the ball at his feet but often seemed like he was only giving about 60% effort where it’s obvious Maeda is less naturally gifted but more than makes up for that by giving 100% every single time he appears on the pitch.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic scores his team’s second goal during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Semi Final match between St Johnstone and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 20, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Édouard often seemed selfish with his play whereas Maeda will put the team first every time. I know which type of footballer i would rather have in my team.

It’s also seems that Édouard is one of those players who starts his career brilliantly but once in the comfort zone of having ‘made it’ his form has severely dipped. It’s not harsh to say that his time in England has been a failure, 21 goals across 4 seasons pretty much confirms that. The few times I have seen him playing since leaving Celtic he has looked exactly like he did during the last season with us, ponderous on the ball and looking sulky when he inevitably loses it.

The difference with both Jota and Kieran Tierney returning to Celtic

I have seen people suggest that we have already brought Jota back to the club which so far seems like a great piece of business. We of course are also getting Kieran Tierney back this summer but these two are a completely different kettle of fish all together. Both gave their all for Celtic right up until the end of their time at the club and are coming back because they loved being at Celtic.

Odsonne Edouard of Celtic celebrates Scoring his second goal of the game during the Scottish Cup Final between Heart of Midlothian FC and Celtic FC at Hampden Park on May 25, 2019. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Neither caused any disruption during their time at the club and to be honest Celtic made fantastic money on both players because they never outrightly said they wanted to leave the club. We got less for Édouard on the other hand because potential suitors knew he didn’t want to be at the club so Celtic couldn’t play hardball.

Odsonne Édouard is in Celtic’s past it that’s the way it should stay

Odsonne Edouard of Celtic is congratulated after scoring from the penalty spot during the Scottish Cup semi-final between Aberdeen and Celtic at Hampden Park on April 14, 2019. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Édouard gave Celtic a great few seasons which I’m sure all of us are grateful for but when it ended not too many were gutted to see him leave. He made his intentions clear and the Celtic fans accepted that. There has never been hope inside the fans that he would return one day like there was with Jota and Tierney.

Odsonne Édouard is in Celtic’s past it that’s the way it should stay.

Conall McGinty

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