Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers explains Odsonne Edouard decision

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Odsonne Edouard scored a hat-trick for Celtic against Motherwell at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed to BBC Sport why he included Odsonne Edouard in the starting lineup against Motherwell.

Edouard started for Celtic in the Scottish Premiership game against Motherwell at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon.

The 19-year-old forward, signed on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer transfer window, repaid Rodgers’s faith in him by scoring a hat-trick, leading the Hoops to a comfortable 5-1.

Celtic manager Rodgers has explained his decision to start the young French forward.

“Young Odsonne was top class,” Rodgers told BBC Sport. “Take away his goals and his overall game was at a really high level. He scored three goals, could have had five, he was absolutely exceptional.

“I felt we needed more mobility at the top end of the field, we were a wee bit static the other night [in a 1-1 draw at Motherwell]. I felt his speed and movement could hurt their centre-halves, in front of them and in behind.”

The presence of Moussa Dembele and Leigh Griffiths has affected Edouard’s chances of playing regularly for the Celtic first team so far this season.

However, the youngster’s hat-trick against Motherwell shows that he has quality, and that he will do the job whenever called upon.

If the PSG-owned forward gets to play regularly, then he could develop into a very important player for the Hoops this season.

The win against Motherwell extends Celtic’s stunning unbeaten record in the Scotland.