NEIL LENNON insists you cannot compare Odsonne Edouard with club legend Henrik Larsson.
The Celtic boss was a team-mate of the Swede during the Martin O’Neill years and is well aware of his extraordinary qualities.
Edouard has attracted similar praise for his lavish skills this season and he boosted his standing with his 25th goal of the campaign when he chipped in the opener in the 1-1 draw with FC Copenhagen in the Danish capital on Thursday during the Europa League last-32 encounter.
Lennon is now preparing his team for tomorrow’s Premiership visit of Kilmarnock for only the third of 11 fixtures at Parkhead since the turn of the year and then he will turn his attention to the return leg with the Danes on Thursday.
The Hoops gaffer reflected on the Danish action and, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “It was a brilliant move for Odsonne’s goal and it was a lovely finish.
“I thought he might have done that with his first chance, too, and dinked it.
“That’s his 25th goal of the season and he’s a special player.
THE BHOY DANE GOOD…Odsonne Edouard clips in Celtic’s goal in Copenhagen.
“You can’t compare him to Henrik. You can’t compare him to anybody. He’s his own individual. A real quality striker and I love working with him.
“There are things he does that makes your jaw drop. At times, he does things that are totally unexpected and it may prove to be a really important goal in Denmark.
“He doesn’t get disappointed if he misses. He waits for the next one and puts it away and I think his finishing has got a lot better over the past couple of years.”
Lennon also praised Edouard’s compatriot Christopher Jullien – rated “immense throughout” in the CQN match report – for his performance against the Danes, especially in the second-half during an extraordinary transformation in the encounter at the Parken Stadium.
The Irishman said: “I thought Christopher had a great game and headed everything he possibly could. His attitude and his will-to-win was a real show of character away from home and I think he’s been superb.
“He’s got leadership qualities and has that presence, as well.”
Looks like the French centre-back might turn out to be a bargain at the £7million the champions paid Toulouse for him in the summer to make him the club’s most expensive defender.
