SO much has been said about Celtic’s formidable league form since the turn of the year, and rightly so. From January through March, the Hoops won nine out of 10 games – drawing 2-2 against Livingston on March 4 – to forge a 13-point gap at the top of the Premiership.

The Paradise side were of course crowned champions two months after that amid the current COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, but it was a game on the other side of the year which Odsonne Edouard considers crucial in last season’s success.

“The defeat to Rangers on December 29 was important to me and to us as a team, because we used this game to become better,” said Edouard in an exclusive interview for the Celtic View 9 in-a-row special. “After this game, after the break, we came back to training and we worked more and we worked harder.

“When we got back to playing football, we won every game, except one which we drew. I think that record speaks for itself. The goal against Rangers at Ibrox in September, though, was my favourite goal of the season.

“I didn’t plan the celebration, it just happened at the time. Every time I touched the ball, the Rangers fans… they weren’t happy about it, they weren’t happy with me. My goal was a good answer to that, and the celebration matched it. I think the Celtic fans liked it too!”

The Celtic fans were also delighted with Edouard’s contribution in front of goal over the course of the 2019/20 campaign – the French forward having hit 28 goals in 45 appearances.

And while delighted to have played his part in three of the current nine in-a-row run, the 22-year-old has nothing but respect for Scott Brown and James Forrest, both of who have featured in all nine.

He added: "To be here for all nine league titles in nine in-a-row, that’s incredible for Broony and James. They’re both very good players and they’re both leaders of the team.

"They’re good for the team, they’re good for me and it’s good to have these types of players in the changing room."

The Celtic View is the Voice of the 9-in-a-row champions and we’re celebrating an incredible football success under Neil Lennon with a special 100-page issue, OUT NOW.

To order your copy of this 9-in-a-row celebratory issue, CLICK HERE.

Odsonne pinpoints key game in 9 in-a-row & hails long-serving stars