CELTIC have NOT ruled out Odsonne Edouard from facing Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side at Parkhead on Saturday as Hatem Abd Elhamed became the latest coronavirus drop-out.
The Israel defender has joined international team-mate Nir Bitton on the sidelines after admitting to feeling unwell after his nation’s 2-1 loss to the Czech Republic at the weekend.
Unfortunately, the test for the virus has come back positive and Elhamed must now self-isolated for the next 13 days which will remove him from Neil Lennon’s first-team squad for the crucial Premiership encounter, according to STV.
Edouard also tested positive for Covid-19 while on duty for the France Under-21 squad in Paris and his quarantine period will make if difficult for him to be ready for the game where a win will put the nine-in-a-row champions back on top of the league with a game in hand.
However, last season’s top scorer with 28 goals still has an outside chance of being available for Saturday’s 12.30pm start.
When the news broke of the French ace’s condition, supporters shared their anxiety for him on social media and he took to Twitter to tell them he feels good and will be back as soon as he can, as CQN reported last week.
The forward tweeted: “Thank you all for your messages of support! I’m fine and I would come back stronger, take care of yourself and your family.”
Leigh Griffiths, who scored the last-minute breakthrough goal against St Johnstone on his first appearance of the season, is standing by for a dramatic start against the Govan outfit.
Swiss ace Albian Ajeti, who pulled a hamstring scoring the second goal in the 3-0 win over Hibs last month, missed the Europa League play-off victory over Sarajevo in Bosnia and the 2-0 triumph in Perth, also hopes to be fit for selection.
Lennon also has a problem with central defender Christopher Jullien who has struggled with a back injury over the past three weeks while winger James Forrest will also be until next month.
