I Wanna Be A Winner

Odsonne Edouard on pushing his goal tally and targeting European football in the season ahead

- Joe Donnelly

Under normal circumstances, Odsonne Edouard’s hat-trick against Hamilton on Flag Day would have stirred a deafening rendition of the forward’s Stone Roses-inspired anthem from the stands.

The Frenchman truly is Adored by the Paradise faithful, and while closed-doors football poses a new challenge for players and fans alike, the 22-year-old forward showed the same swagger on the pitch as The Roses’ frontman Ian Brown on-stage on Matchday One.

Against The Accies, this was illustrated by what Neil Lennon described afterward as three “striker’s goals” in his post-match interview with Celtic TV. Unlike the solo efforts we’ve become accustomed to from Edouard – dropping deep, taking on defenders, hitting the net with the most cultured of finishes – he cut a different figure in front of goal against Brian Rice’s side, firing three first-touch finishes home in and around the six-yard line.

Celtic’s visit to Kilmarnock last Sunday was a more frustrating affair, the Hoops having been held to a 1-1 draw against a well-organized, deep-sitting opposition at Rugby Park. Still, it was the striker who won the free-kick which Ryan Christie fired home from 30 yards after seven minutes.

In a previous Celtic View interview, the Frenchman said he was pleased with his 28-goal haul during last season’s campaign, but was disappointed not to pass the 30 mark.