The former Celtic manager believes that Rangers will not be able to stop the Hoops from winning the league title for the 10th season in a row.
Barnes believes that even if the Bhoys sell star striker Edouard this summer, they will still be able to win the title, as they are likely to have a replacement lined up.
The Glasgow Evening Times quotes Barnes as saying: “Celtic have a stronger squad than Rangers. Rangers are improving all the time, after Steven Gerard, they got better year after year.
“But Celtic will still be favourites, so I don’t necessarily think that they’ll have to keep Edouard to win the league, because I’m sure if they sell him, they will replace him.
“I think that Celtic are better placed at this moment in time to win 10-in-a-row. But I don’t think they necessarily need to keep him to do that.”
The Liverpool legend added: “As you see with Virgil Van Dijk and Moussa Dembele before him, players who do well at Celtic, then they will go to a place where they’re going to get more money. So, I’m sure that if he goes, they will have somebody lined up to replace him.”
The former Celtic boss continued: “I still think Celtic will win it next year, but I think Rangers will be, once again, getting closer.”
Big claim
Edouard is one of the best strikers in the Scottish Premiership, and his 22 goals in the league this past season were hugely important in Celtic winning the title.
True, Celtic will sign a replacement if the Frenchman leaves this summer, but there will be a danger of that replacement not making an immediate impact on the team.
Leigh Griffiths remains a very good striker, but Edouard is better and his all-round game also adds to the team.
Losing Edouard would be a blow for Celtic, and the Hoops should do whatever they can to make sure that the 22-year-old stays at Celtic Park for one more season at least.
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