NEIL LENNON has issued an amazing snub to Odsonne Edouard, the most expensive player in Celtic history.
Brendan Rodgers paid a club record-breaking £9million to Paris Saint-Germain for the French frontman in June 2018 following an impressive season-long loan at Parkhead.
Lennon inherited Edouard after returning to the Hoops on February 26 2019 after his predecessor had made a swift exit for Leicester City.
HISTORY BHOY…Odsonne Edouard is congratulated by Scott Sinclair after netting the Scottish Cup Final winner against Hearts at Hampden on May 25 2019 to seal Celtic’s treble treble. James Forrest races to join in.
Twenty-four hours later, Edouard scored a last-gasp goal against Hearts at Tynecastle to give the former club captain a winning start to his second stint as Hoops manager.
However, the flamboyant forward, who moved to Crystal Palace for £18.5million in August 2021, has been shunned as Lennon named the best striker he has had the pleasure of managing.
That acclaim goes to Gary Hooper, the Englishman who was bought by the Irishman from Scunthorpe for £2.4million in July 2010.
The attacker, now 34, who scored a 63 goals in 95 league games for the Parkhead side, has now rejoined his one-time Hoops gaffer in Cyprus with Omonia Nicosia on a free transfer from Wellington Phoenix.
HAPPY DAZE…Gary Hooper celebrates one of his 63 league goals for Celtic.
Lennon, speaking to the Scottish Sun, admitted: “Gary’s the best striker I’ve ever worked with.
“He came in late and still needs a bit of work, but he’ll be good for us.”
As well as Edouard, Lennon overlooked Leigh Griffiths, a player who scored 123 goals for the club after he bought him from Wolves in January 2014, and fans’ favourite Giorgios Samaras, the Greek international raider.
The ex-Celtic chief is now preparing for the Europa League home encounter against Manchester United months on October 6.
A week later, the Cypriots will take on Erik ten Hag’s side at Old Trafford with ex-Hoops defender Adam Matthews in the team, but, unfortunately, Hooper was signed after the European registration deadline.
