Odsonne Edouard Celtic contract talks under way as Neil Lennon offers assurances over striker

Celtic have opened talks with star striker Odsonne Edouard about a new Parkhead contract.

Hoops gaffer Neil Lennon – named the William Hill Scottish Football Writers’ Association Manager of the Year – is desperate for the Frenchman to stay.

And Lenny revealed the club’s hierarchy have officially begun negotiations with the 22-year-old and his representatives about an extended stay in Glasgow.

Edouard scored 28 goals last season to help Celtic clinch nine-in-a-row. Now Lennon hopes the
former PSG kid will pen an extended deal and lead the charge for 10 successive titles.

Edouard’s deal expires in 2022 but there’s already concrete interest from former Celts boss Brendan Rodgers at Leicester.

Celtic are determined to keep him for at least one more season and Lennon plans face-to-face talks with the striker when he returns for training.

He said: “Yes, there are talks with Edouard now. These are ongoing with his representatives.

“Ultimately, he’s a player we want around. He had a magnificent season and we want to keep him. It’s as simple as that.

“We’re doing everything we can to keep him here for at least another season.

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“I think he’s happy here. He has got a fantastic
relationship with his team-mates and you can see how much the fans appreciate him, which is reciprocated.

“Odsonne’s grown into a top-class striker and of course, there’s going to be speculation around him but we’re comfortable with the position we’re in.

“He seems pretty happy and we’re looking forward to seeing him at training.

“We’d love to discuss things with him, and a few other players as well.”

Edouard will return to the Lennoxtown training base this weekend along with the rest of the squad for Covid-19 testing.

Lennon insists Celtic will take no risks with him or any of their other BAME players, who could be more susceptible to the virus.

And Lennon insists anyone in his squad with doubts will have the best advice available to them from the medical staff.

He said: “It seems that BAME players are a little bit more vulnerable. But we have protocols and
everything is in place.”