Kris Commons has suggested that Odsonne Edouard will have to stay fit if Celtic are to make it to the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
The French striker has been in sublime form this season, hitting three goals in four Scottish Premiership appearances, and former Hoops man Commons believes that he can be key to his side’s chances of progressing in Europe.
As quoted by the Daily Record, he said: “In terms of getting out of the Europa League group, the game changer will be if Edouard stays fit.
“If he picks up an injury – because he’s still a young kid playing a lot of football – it would be a huge blow.
“If he doesn’t, they’ve a real good opportunity to progress.”
How important is Edouard for Celtic?
As Commons points out here, very.
The Frenchman has grown into one of the finest strikers in Scottish football over the past couple of seasons, and increasingly, with Leigh Griffiths’ absence and Timo Weah, the Hoops have had to rely on his goals in that centre-forward position.
In that respect, he has delivered, hitting 22 goals in all competitions last season, and has started this season at a serious pace too, with six in 12 in all competitions.
His directness and willingness to drive at people make him a properly frightening prospect for defenders, as was shown by his 1.4 successful dribbles per match in last season’s Europa League, as per Whoscored.
The most obvious comparison that many people are making is to former Bhoys’ hitman Moussa Dembele, who of course went to Lyon for big money last summer.
The 23-year-old is a couple of years older than Edouard, but if you look at what he was doing for Celtic at that age, it’s fair to suggest that Edouard is on the right trajectory.
In 2017/18 Dembele managed 1.5 successful dribbles in the Europa League, just a shade more than Edouard, as per Whoscored.
The Parkhead faithful will be hoping that Edouard can get anywhere near the level Dembele has reached since then.
Will Celtic progress in Europe?
It’s going to be a tough ask, even with Edouard, make no mistake.
Lazio look like a dangerous side, currently sitting second in Serie A, two points behind Inter Milan and ahead of Juventus on goal difference.
CFR Cluj have already beaten the Hoops this term, having knocked them out of the Champions League, and Rennes are second in Ligue Un, just behind the imperious PSG.
In short, this is a tough, tough group. To stand any chance of success, the Bhoys are going to need every advantage they can take, including keeping Edouard firing.