ODSONNE EDOUARD has confirmed his desire to lead Celtic to a historic 10 successive titles.
The flamboyant French striker dismissed speculation he was heading for the Parkhead exit in the midst of a welter of transfer speculation.
Edouard, who scored 28 goals before the season was forced into lockdown in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, added to his personal silverware collection this weekend with the announcement he had been voted the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year.
The Hoops’ record transfer purchase at £9million from Paris Saint-Germain in June 2018 is aiming for more glory at club level and also has his eye on the international front where he could link up with Moussa Dembele as France aim to dominate the delayed Euro 2021 Championships.
GOAL-DEN BHOY…Odsonne Edouard celebrates another strike on his way to 28 during the season.
Twenty-two-year-old Edouard, speaking to the Daily Record, said: “Winning 10 in a row is very important for the club, the players and the fans. Of course, I would love to be part of it. No-one knows what will happen in the future, but I want to be a part of it.
“My first target right now is to play football again after so much time away from the pitch. I only set personal targets for myself once the season actually starts.
“At the moment, I am still under contract with Celtic and my priority is to get back playing again. In the future, we will see what happens.”
Arsenal have been linked with their second raid on the champions in successive summers after splashing £25million on Kieran Tierney in August last year.
Edouard commented: “It shows you are working hard and doing the right things as a player. It is flattering. But I just concentrate on trying to play well for Celtic. That’s what I am focused on at the moment.”
Following his latest silverware success, the club’s talisman said: “I’m very happy with the award. It shows I worked hard and had a good season.
“It gives me a lot of confidence for the future. I’m very proud to be the first French player to win this award, I know how important it is.
FREEWAY TO SUCCESS…Odsonne Edouard hammers in a deadball effort in the 4-1 win over Hamilton Accies.
“There were a lot of highlights for me during the season, but the biggest one was winning the title for nine in a row. That’s the reason we play.”
Edouard has also targeted a striking reunion with former Hoops team-mate Dembele at next summer’s Euro showpiece and added: “It is definitely one of my objectives to get into the French team at some point.
“Now I have one more season to prove myself and perform well before the Euros, the delay could be a positive thing for me. It would be fantastic for me.
“I am still close friends with Moussa and we talk a lot. I’m really happy for him that he has done so well with Lyon.
“I wouldn’t say it is a dream for us to play together for France one day – I would say it is definitely a target for us.”
