Chris Sutton has warned Odsonne Edouard that his stock across Europe is receding.
The striker scored twice in midweek against Switzerland to become the leading all-time scored for the French u-21 side. In the European qualifiers he has scored 12 times in eight matches- the sort of return that he enjoyed with the u-17 side.
A brush with an air-gun and a patchy spell on loan at Toulouse saw his stock fall alarmingly until Celtic appeared in 2017 with a season long loan that was upgraded to a four year contract in return for a £9m transfer fee.
Celtic have enjoyed a fantastic return on that deal but this season more than any other they need Edouard to rediscover his true form- the sort of performances that saw the hoops pick up 28 points from 10 matches after returning from the winter break.
It will take a similar run of results to get back in front this season with Sutton telling Daily Record exactly where Edouard stands at the moment:
Edouard built a terrific reputation at Celtic in recent years as a player who does the job week in, week out, whether it’s in Europe or on the league.
There has been a progression for him but you can’t get away from the fact this year has been a regression. He has to maintain his reputation by upping his levels and producing the goods over the coming weeks and months.
We know he has the talent but it’s up to him to rediscover the form of last season and put himself in the shop window. No one would grudge him a move if he does that, but he has to focus on the here and now.
Edouard has scored just one SPFL goal since being booted off the park away to Dundee United in August, under the watchful eye of Andrew Dallas.
At Hibs today Bobby Madden will be in charge with little in the way of protection likely to be offered to any player wanting to take time on the ball.
In January Neil Lennon got the mix right in attack when he paired Edouard with Leigh Griffiths. Regardless of the problems at the back if the attacking players can find their way to goal they are capable of going on a long winning run to put pressure on Steven Gerrard’s side.