Exclusive: Celtic board make big Edouard move, ex-midfielder reacts
Michael Brown has backed the Celtic board over their handling of Odsonne Edouard’s contract situation.
The former Premier League midfielder, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, insists that it is “normal” that talks over a new deal are taking place with two years of the 22-year-old’s current deal to go.
As revealed by Football Insider, the Bhoys have tabled a contract proposal which would launch Edouard into the top bracket of earners at Parkhead.
It is understood Edouard’s suitors have made “concrete steps” over a potential transfer this summer after his impressive form in Glasgow.
The striker is still on the same contract terms he signed when he joined the Bhoys permanently back in 2018.
However, despite growing interest in a transfer and his standout performances up front at Parkhead, Brown does not believe the board have made a mistake in not rewarding him sooner.
Asked if he thought the Hoops had left it too late to tie Edouard down, Brown told Football Insider: “I think what I would say is that generally, this is the time you would talk about it, with two years to go, there’s still time to go.
“It’s nothing out of the ordinary at that time scale. I see that as about right. We don’t fully know who’s the top earner and who’s not, we don’t fully know. We can see the wages dressed up and measured in different ways. You can bring down the bottom basic wage but they have a loyalty payment every six months.
“You can’t fully see it and I think over two years to go is a normal timescale.”
In comparison to Edouard, Rangers counterpart Alfredo Morelos has penned two new contract deals since joining the club in 2017, the latest coming in March 2019.
As revealed by Football Insider, the Gers have put talks of a third extension on hold.
In other Celtic news, the Hoops could pull off “one hell of a signing” with a free agent this summer, according to Alex Bruce.