With disappointment and frustration for Celtic fans in last Sunday’s clash against Hibernian where we fell to a 1-0 defeat, it seems a lot of fans on social media have identified young striker Odsonne Edouard as the culprit for our recent loss of form.
Although Celtic progressed through to the next round of the 2018/19 Europa League, it does mean back to back defeats for manager Brendan Rodgers’ side and it’s difficult to argue the 20-year-old hasn’t been poor recently.
Some fans haven’t cut him any quarter though and that led to a pretty big reaction from others who feel the young Frenchman needs support and backing, especially when you factor in he’s trying to lead the line on his lonesome given our lack of additional bodies at the top end of the pitch.
The £10million former Paris Saint-Germain player has featured in a whopping 29 games already this season and he has returned 13 goals – but with only one goal in the last eight matches, that tallies with our slip in results.
You been reading my defence of Edouard or what ????????? exactly that better from the left and not yet ready for the lone striker role.
— Mark Clifton (@markclifton1967) December 16, 2018
We've got this thing now where being a Celtic supporter now involves slating the players & wanting rid of them.
I'm maybe old fashioned but I thought positivity was how to support them.
— Steven 1888 (@1888steven) December 17, 2018
The role he’s been asked to play is probably alien to him as they don’t really play with a lone striker in European football ,however basic football isn’t surely above him , and his second touch shouldn’t be a tackle.i don’t judge him in the SPFL , cause he’s better than most .
— George L Murphy Jnr. (@Murf1956) December 16, 2018
Witch-hunt is a bit strong mate. He’s getting the criticism he deserves for his level of application. Must have it at the back of his mind he’s the only available striker at the club as that’s how he plays!
— John Francis Cross (@CrossBhoy) December 16, 2018
Edouard ain’t Dembelle. He’s not suited to the hold up play required, he is though better facing the opponents goal , than Dembelle. Having just 2 strickers was never enough. Having one is , especially so young ,bonkers. January window is now important.
— Big Fraz (@bigfra50) December 16, 2018
Unfair to ask the kid to play a game that is not natural to him. Leading a line needs physicality Eddy is a big boy but is getting bullied,he plays better drifting wide and coming inside.
— central scrutinizer (@centralscrutin2) December 17, 2018
Agreed…there's a lot of twitchy trigger fingers right now …and rightly so
We need a good transfer window to sort out our malaise and calm the nerves
Edouard will get some help…cavalry is coming— Hernan Cortes (@IdahoShmoe) December 17, 2018
Totally love the critisim off top quality young players in this country. EDOUARD Is an amazing talent. Yes inconsistent, age!! Wake up. He needs benched then brought on later in games. Two experienced strikers required in window.
— Colin Higgins (@helpath1) December 17, 2018
With Rodgers already talking about bringing two strikers in during the January transfer window, the young lad might get a break and get back to his best.