CHRIS SUTTON reckons Ibrox sinner-in-chief Odsonne Edouard is playing “almost like he’s not interested”.
The French striker fluffed his second penalty-kick of a wretched campaign and also squandered an earlier chance from six yards when he contrived to put the ball over the bar with the goal gaping.
It was an awful performance from Edouard who looked to be going through the motions and a lot of what he offered in this encounter smacked of being half-hearted.
He will be on his way in the summer, despite having a year of his contract still to run. However, once again in this dreadful season he failed to show he is a big player when it is required the most. His performance against Steven Gerrard’s side would have failed to impress any potential suitor.
At this rate, the Hoops will be fortunate to recoup the £9million they paid for him in June 2018 in a deal that has a built-in sell-on clause from Paris Saint-Germain which has been reported to be as high as 40 per cent.
SPOT-OFF…Odsonne Edouard watches his feeble penalty-kick beaten away by Allan McGregor.
Sutton watched from the gantry as the fallen champions stumbled their way to a 2-0 loss with Steven Davis getting the opener in the 10th minute and the home outfit saw their advantage doubled by a crazy own goal from Jonjoe Kenny who got his angles all wrong to divert a Joe Aribo cross past a startled Scott Bain at his near post.
The one-time England international frontman, Martin O’Neill’s first buy for the club in the summer of 2000, has warned the Parkhead team faces a squad upheaval after also noting he saw players “who don’t seem to want to be at the club”.
Sutton said: “Celtic had their chances at Ibrox and they could and should have had a couple of goals.
“But let’s not be kidded. There is a massive rebuilding mission required now at my old club. It’s up to Celtic to respond now.
“You look at the game and you could say Rangers took their chances and Celtic didn’t, but it was much more than that.
“I saw a collection of individuals. I saw players who don’t seem to want to be at the club.
“Rangers have the opposite – and that is the huge difference.
“You look at the loan players who will all be gone. Diego Laxalt had a shocker, but it was hardly a surprise. It was one thing getting skinned by Joe Aribo, but the lack of effort to get back in was telling.
OH NO…Odsonne Edouard holds his head in his hands after his astonishing miss from six yards.
“Jonjoe Kenny wasn’t much better on the other side and you’ve got Mohamed Elyounoussi who is also going and he wasn’t clinical enough where it mattered.
“Scott Brown is leaving as well, but I actually felt for him yesterday and you couldn’t fault him for effort.
“The same couldn’t be said about the rest.”
Sutton continued: “You have the likes of Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer, who look destined to be on their way in the summer.
“I gave Edouard the benefit of the doubt earlier in the season. I thought he would get his head down and focus on this season after maybe wanting to leave after last year.
“But it’s almost like he’s not interested.
“If he wants to go, that’s fine. But where does he go? He must have something lined up already because if you were a scouting watching him yesterday, you’re certainly not putting him forward for a top club in Europe.
“Edouard was a shadow of his former self at Ibrox. The Rangers defence used to fear him. Yesterday they barely noticed him.
“He should have buried his big chance when Celtic were 2-0 down and his penalty was woeful.
“But it just summed him up this season. It was all so half-hearted and future employers must be watching and sticking a question mark next to his attitude.”
ANGUISH…Odsonne Edouard can’t hide his feelings.
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, remarked: “There were the usual question marks on the pitch at Ibrox. Celtic are just so unconvincing in both boxes. They don’t look at threat at set-pieces at one end and always look vulnerable in their own penalty area. Ibrox summed up the season.
“It’s incredible how the tables have turned. Celtic used to go in to these games with an air of superiority. They looked like defeat was inconceivable.
“Now it’s Rangers who have the psychological advantage. I didn’t think they were that great or there was that much between the sides.
“There’s no doubt not having James Forrest was a blow, but at the same time it’s unlikely he would have started after the way Celtic played in the last Old Firm game.
“But there is such a lack of options and flexibility in this squad. They have almost been forced to play this way because they are a bunch of individuals rather than a balanced group.”
Former goal hero Sutton added: “It doesn’t matter now. The season has gone for Celtic and it’s all about what happens next.
“I just wonder what Eddie Howe would have been thinking if he was watching on.
TOUCHLINE SUPPORT…John Kennedy attempts to spur on his players – to no avail.
“If I was him I’d be back on the phone to Dermot Desmond to ask for more time to think about it – or ask for some more money.
“Because it’s a huge job he – or whoever comes in – has on his hands. It’s a practically a blank sheet of paper.
“What’s on it? Callum McGregor, David Turnbull are on there, you maybe give youngster Stephen Welsh the benefit of the doubt even if he wasn’t at his best against Rangers.
“Ryan Christie’s future is uncertain, same with Leigh Griffiths, Albian Ajeti doesn’t look up to standard and although Scott Bain couldn’t have done much yesterday, I still feel a top goalkeeper is needed.
“So what does it leave?
“Not much. It’s a heck of a shopping list at Celtic Park if they are to even think about having a chance of wrestling the title off Rangers next season.
“It’s been a glorious spell for Celtic in recent years, but this is the end of an era for this squad. There’s no time to waste in starting a new one.”
EDOUARD AND HOOPS PAY THE PENALTY IN IBROX CALAMITY
