ALBIAN AJETI will get the chance to forge a partnership with Odsonne Edouard after last night’s performance in the 4-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
The £5million Swiss international striker played the full 90 minutes as he notched only his sixth goal since his big-money arrival from West Ham in the summer.
Edouard netted twice – one from the penalty spot – as he hoisted his goal tally to 16 while skipper Scott Brown got the ball rolling with the opener as he thumped in an unstoppable 29th-minute header from a David Turnbull right-wing corner-kick.
Neil Lennon also took the opportunity to give Mohamed Elyounoussi, Patryk Klimala and Mikey Johnston some game-time, but there was no sign of Leigh Griffiths who remained on the bench.
Griff, of course, never reappeared after the interval as the Hoops toiled 2-1 down against St Mirren at Parkhead on Saturday and the emergence of Ajeti could be bad news for the 30-year-old frontman.
Lennon is willing to give the summer purchase a run after his first goal in 15 appearances which he tucked away with a fine finish beyond Killie keeper Colin Doyle.
The Celtic gaffer, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “Hopefully, he’ll get a run of games now.
“He looked very good, very strong and he complemented Odsonne very well. It’s a good night’s work for him.
“He was out of football for a long time last year. He then had fitness problems coming in. He gets in the team then had a couple of hamstring injuries when he was away with Switzerland. He pulled his hamstring again in maybe November time.
“It’s been a slow burner for him. His work ethic hasn’t been good enough. He knows that and he’s changed that now.
“And he’s rewarded himself and obviously us and the team with a goal and a very good performance.
“We want to get more out of him now because we think he’s a very good striker.
“He’s got to get his Celtic career really up and running now and that’s a good start for him.”
Ajeti is now poised to get the nod to face Motherwell in Glasgow on Saturday and he may take it as an omen that one of his six strikes for the Hoops came in a 3-0 victory over the Fir Parkers at the same venue in August.
FOUR-MIDABLE AS EDOUARD LEADS ROMP
