ODSONNE EDOUARD IMPRESSES ON HOME TURF
The success of Edouard for the France under-21s last term, hitting a staggering 10 goals in his first five caps, will have alerted plenty of fans in his homeland to his burgeoning talent, and probably a few clubs besides.
All eyes were on the 22-year-old then as he strutted his stuff on home turf, and it took him only minutes to make a huge impression, latching onto a loose ball and expertly rounding goalkeeper Walter Benitez before sliding home.
That the goal was wrongly ruled out was almost immaterial, Edouard had already shown exactly what he was all about.
He was a little rusty of course after the long lay-off and passed up one or two further opportunities that he may normally have taken, but his all-round performance in his hour on the pitch was impressive.
DEFENSIVE FRAILTIES ON SHOW
Allowances of course have to be made for the stage of the season, but even still, the manner of the goal Celtic lost will have been disappointing to both Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer.
The understanding between the pair was a cornerstone of Celtic’s success last term, but neither central defender covered themselves in glory as Kasper Dolberg put Nice ahead.
It was clear that the forward was working his way onto his right foot as he cut in from the left, but he got through a weak Jullien tackle before Ajer dived in as he attempted to block, and was easily sidestepped by Dolberg.
LEIGH GRIFFITHS HAS BEEN SERVED NOTICE THAT PATRYK KLIMALA IS AFTER HIS PLACE
A penny for the thoughts of Griffiths as a lean, mean Klimala charged down Nice substitute keeper Teddy Boulhendi to roll home Celtic’s equaliser.
The youngster has spent the summer bulking up with muscle after realising what was required to compete for a place at the club, while Griffiths faces a fight to get back into manager Neil Lennon’s favours after a lack of application during the same period.
The sight of a fit and focused Klimala may be the spur Griffiths needs to get himself back on track.
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