ANGE POSTECOGLOU revealed he has had “a brief chat” with Odsonne Edouard in the midst of ongoing reports the French striker is likely to quit Celtic this summer.
And the new Hoops boss admitted he “can’t force people to stay” with Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie also linked with moves away from Parkhead.
Postecoglou said: “That stuff is out of my control. From my perspective, while they’re here, I’m treating them as part of the Celtic family. As long as they’re working hard in training, I don’t treat them any differently to anyone else.
“I can’t force people to stay. If things change with that, we’ll deal with it as we go along
“Edouard’s a quality player. He’s been really good in training, really positive. You can see the quality he has. He took his goal well. He started a bit later than the others, so we’re easing him back into it
SHAKE ON IT…Odsonne Edouard accepts the congratulations after netting the third goal against Sheffield Wednesday.
“I have had a brief chat to him. I’ve had a brief chat with all the boys. I look at how they train and how they are around the place. He’s been training well, he was keen to play against Sheffield Wednesday and he took his goal well and played well.
“I will leave it at that. I don’t think it needs too much discussion. Actions speak louder than words.”
Asked about Ajer, who has spoken publicly of his desire to leave, and Christie, whose contract runs out in January, Postecoglou, speaking to the Glasgow Times, added: “Same. While they’re here, I treat them as Celtic players.
“I’ve come to live with the fact that the football industry is constantly evolving. We don’t know who might be here or not in the very near future. I tend to focus on what’s in front of me. They are both here and have come back in really good condition.
“Ryan was with the Scotland squad, but Kris has obviously looked after himself and looks sharp in training.”
WANTED BHOY…Kristoffer Ajer has stated he wants to leave Parkhead.
Edouard came on as a half-time substitute for Albian Ajeti, the Swiss hitman who claimed the Hoops’ equaliser against the Hillsborough outfit after Josh Windass had opened the scoring in the third minute.
The former Paris Saint-Germain prospect, who cost the Parkhead club a record fee of £9million in June 2018, added a late third goal after teenager Owen Moffat had rifled in the second.
Edouard will get another run-out when Celtic take on Charlton on Saturday afternoon and he could be accompanied by Callum McGregor and his Scotland international team-mates.
James Forrest will again by missing due to Covid-related issues.
