BROONY, EDOUARD AND THE 4-LETTER WORD

SCOTT BROWN admitted something got lost in the translation as Celtic put Steven Gerrard’s men on the back foot right from the start in the 2-0 win at Ibrox.

The Hoops skipper was astonished when Odsonne Edouard simply booted the ball out of touch deep in enemy territory immediately referee Bobby Madden blew for the kick-off.

Neil Lennon gave the credit to his captain for the innovative beginning that kept the home side penned in their own half in the opening moments which was only broken when Ryan Christie fired a speculative 35-yarder over Allan McGregor’s bar.

However, Brown laughed off the suggestion the novel idea had been dreamed up by him.

The 34-year-old midfielder, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “I turned around and said, ‘What the f*** are you doing, Odsonne?’.

“I said to start by pressing them up the park. I wanted the ball to come back first, but my French is not what it used to be!

“It was the first time we’d ever done it and we got something from it. It was a wee change.”

FRENCH FANCY…Odsonne Edouard slides the opening goal past Allan McGregor.

GOVAN GLEE…Edouard is congratulated by Ryan Christie.

OO LA LA…Edouard celebrates after his strike.

Edouard, of course, did some perfect talking with his feet when he waltzed onto a Mikey Johnston pass to whip a low shot under McGregor for the opening goal in the 34th minute and he was also involved in the stoppage-time strike from Jonny Hayes that ended the game as a contest and made certain the points were heading back to Parkhead.

An impressed Brown is backing his colleague to reach the very top.

He added: “You look at him and you look at Moussa Dembele. The two of them came here to show how good they were and the both of them turn up in big games.

“Odsonne has been a breath of fresh air. We all knew Moussa would leave eventually and he would have to step up, but he has done it phenomenally well.

“He is also doing it for France Under-21s as well as Celtic. Hopefully, he keeps doing that and that’s the test. He needs to be doing it week in week out. Moussa did it week in and week out and got a huge move.

“We want to make sure Odsonne does it week in and week out, as well, but that he stays with us.

“He’s very quiet, very chilled. He plays the same way. He’s relaxed on the ball. He never gets annoyed with anyone.

“He makes those runs and when it doesn’t come off he doesn’t throw up his arms and shout at everybody.

“That’s what makes him the fantastic striker he is.

“He’s happy as Larry if someone else scores. If he scores he looks kind of happy. I think he’s happy to be here.

“Seriously, he speaks away as his English is getting better and he’s a good guy around the changing room even if he’s quiet and keeps himself to himself.”