Brendan Rodgers has poured cold water on speculation linking Odsonne Edouard with a return to Celtic, insisting the French striker is not on his radar.
The Celtic boss was speaking after watching his side run out 2-0 winners against Sporting Lisbon in a pre-season friendly in Portugal. The match marked another solid step in preparations ahead of the new campaign, but all eyes were on Rodgers post-match as he addressed growing chatter around a potential swoop for former striker Edouard.
Crystal Palace have reportedly made Edouard available for transfer this summer, four years after the forward left Parkhead for the Premier League in a deal worth up to £20m. The 27-year-old has struggled to consistently impress down south and a return to Glasgow has been floated in some quarters.
Rodgers, however, was clear on where things stand.
“Odsonne hasn’t been on my radar, to be fair,” he told SunSport. “I obviously know him but it’s about a player who will fit into the structure of the team.”
The manager also pushed back on the idea that Celtic are chasing marquee names in the transfer market, doubling down on his belief that the focus should be on the right profile rather than star power.
“I’m not worried so much about a big name,” Rodgers said. “It’s about the collective of the team. Big names don’t always give you want you need. This team needs hunger, goals and work rate and intensity. Big names don’t always give you that. It’s about big players.”
There’s a recognition that Celtic’s attacking options need attention — and quickly. The current squad lacks depth, both up front and in the wide areas. Jota’s long-term injury and Kuhn’s summer exit have heightened the need to bring in players who can make a real difference.
Next up, Celtic host Newcastle United at Celtic Park this Saturday, before flying out to Italy for the Como Cup where they’ll face Ajax in their opening match. It’s part of an intense final build-up to the competitive season, and Rodgers will want answers — and action — in the transfer market before the curtain rises.
