Celtic have a huge game against Italian giants AC Milan in the Europa League tonight. However, all associated with the Bhoys will be gutted to hear that Odsonne Edouard is still unavailable to play as Neil Lennon revealed he still needs to pass ‘cardiac screening’ and ‘blood tests’.
This is their first game of the Europa League group stage and it couldn’t be any harder – Milan are top of Serie A with four wins from four. The Bhoys will be looking to put the loss to their rivals at the weekend behind them, but this latest update on their star striker is definitely a worrying one.
Why will Edouard not be able to play tonight?
Odsonne Edouard will miss Celtic’s Europa League opener against AC Milan as he is still recovering from Covid-19. The striker found out on international duty with the France U21 squad that he tested positive for the virus and he is still not fully fit.
Speaking on the striker, Lennon said, “Odsonne has had a cardiac screening and the blood tests and now we have to do some physiological work with him in terms of getting what the response to his heart rate is from certain exertions before we can clear him to train fully with us again. He is going through certain health and safety protocols at the minute.”
How big a blow is this for Celtic?
Edouard has played ten games in all competitions this season and scored six times, per Transfermarkt, so he will no doubt be a huge loss for Celtic if he misses out tomorrow.
Lennon’s update on the £13.5m-valued player is not an encouraging one for the Hoops. It is a big game and obviously the gaffer will want his star striker, who has scored 66 goals in 136 appearances.
The French starlet, who Neil Lennon has called ‘special’ in the past, is highly-rated by many, including France and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. This highlights the quality of the player that the Hoops are missing. His absence showed against Glasgow Rangers on the weekend as they failed to register a shot on target.
Therefore, it is a huge blow for the club to be missing their star forward. They need players like him against Milan, as they are very tough opposition, and this puts a lot of pressure on Albian Ajeti and Patryk Klimala.
Have a look at whether the Hoops believe Edouard will leave the club in January here!
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