Celtic legend John Hartson has insisted that Bhoys striker Odsonne Edouard should be cut some slack, irrespective of his poor run of form in recent weeks.
Edouard, who made a permanent move to Parkhead on a £9m transfer in the summer, has struggled to find his best form in recent weeks, especially during the defeats to Red Bull Salzburg and Hibernian.
The Frenchman was also booked against Hibs at Easter Road on Sunday when he made a desperate dive to try and win a penalty in the second half.
Despite his worrying run of form in recent weeks, Hartson insisted that Edouard should be cut some slack since it is still early days for him as a senior professional.
“Edouard is struggling a bit at the moment for form, but he should be cut some slack”, Hartson wrote in his column for the Evening Times.
“I thought he had a really poor night against Salzburg and he wasn’t much better, if at all, on Sunday.
“I could see how frustrated he was when he dived at Easter Road.
"It wasn’t even a good dive as he attempted to win a penalty.
“But you have to expect that with such a young player."
Hartson also suggested that Edouard is suffering from the weight of expectations on him at Parkhead following the departure of Moussa Dembele and the absence of Leigh Griffiths, who is taking time off due to personal reasons.
“[Brendan] Rodgers saw Moussa Dembele and his £9m summer signing as a partnership, with Leigh Griffiths as the No.3 striker”, he continued.
“But for most of the season it’s been Edouard and that’s it.
"No wonder he is off the boil. That’s a hard shift for him in every game.”
Edouard has netted 13 goals from 28 appearances in all competitions for Celtic so far this term.
