PRESSURE?... JE NE COMPRENDS PAS

Odsonne Edouard remains cool, composed and focused on helping the Hoops on their trophy trail this season.

- TONY CONNELLY

IT will come as no surprise to Celtic fans to know that Odsonne Edouard is immune to pressure. Nevertheless, it is comforting to hear it come from the man himself, especially with the business end of the season approaching.

The French striker’s focus is resolute and he believes the best is yet to come, thanks to his thriving partnership with Leigh Griffiths.

Supporters and media pundits alike have quickly run out of superlatives to describe Edouard’s form this season. The 22-year-old’s consistency has been incredible and his displays on the pitch sensational.

The latest reward for his performances was the Ladbrokes Premiership Player of the Month Award for January, while his double against Motherwell at Fir Park on February 5 saw him take his goal tally to 24 for the season so far, surpassing the 22 he bagged for the whole of the 2018/19 campaign.

Having scored seven goals so far in 2020, the Frenchman has started the second half of the season in sensational form, just as the pressure around the title race heats up.

However, the ever-cool Edouard hasn’t allowed any talk of pressure to affect him, and his demeanour and outlook on football has long served as something of a mental shield against anything that could negatively impact on other professionals.

“For me, nothing has changed,” said Edouard in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “It’s just football and I enjoy it. I’m in a good place just now and I’m enjoying playing.

“I am happy with how many goals I have been scoring and I want to improve on that in each game. I have a target that I want to hit, but I keep that a secret.”

One thing that has changed in recent weeks has been the addition of Leigh Griffiths alongside Edouard and the pair have scored 11 goals between them since the team returned to competitive action following the winter break.