By Football Insider speaking to Jackie McNamara

6th Feb, 2020 | 11:35am

'World-class' - Exclusive: McNamara reacts to bold Celtic player claim from Sutton

Jackie McNamara insists that Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard has some way to go before he can be compared to Hoops legend Henrik Larsson.

The former Parkhead and Scotland star, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, admits he is not convinced by Chris Sutton’s bold claim the Frenchman is in the same ballpark as the Swedish icon.

Taking to Twitter after Wednesday’s win over Motherwell, Sutton wrote that Edouard is “the closest thing to Larsson I’ve seen in a Celtic jersey,” after netting twice at Fir Park.

However, McNamara says that while Edouard is getting better and better, he is still some way off the talent of the former Bhoys, Barcelona and Manchester United star.

“I don’t know about that, it’s a tough comparison,” McNamara told Football Insider.

“They’ve had some unbelievable strikers over the years but Henrik for me was world-class. Edouard’s getting better, little bits obviously (he needs to improve on), Henrik was a player who just got better and better when he first came into Celtic.

“He started with us, got better and better and then goes to Barcelona and then Man U after that. Henrik for me was world-class.” 

Edouard has now scored 23 goals and contributed a further 16 assists in his 37 appearances across all competitions this season, with 19 strikes in 22 Premiership outings.

Since arriving at Parkhead, initially on loan from PSG, he has played 118 times and netted 56 goals.

In other Celtic news, it can be REVEALED that the club made a last-ditch move to sign a player from England in January.