‘If I’m honest…’ – Exclusive: Top pundit can’t believe big Edouard-Celtic reveal | OneFootball

Alan Hutton admits he was stunned to hear that Odsonne Edouard told Neil Lennon he was not able to start for Celtic against Livingston.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, the former Rangers and Scotland star insists he never would have admitted he was not ready to play and that his manager would have had to pull him out of the side.

As quoted by the Daily Record after the 3-2 win on Saturday, Lennon revealed that the 22-year-old had told him on Friday that he was “struggling to start” the game.

The Frenchman spent the whole game on the substitute’s bench as goals from Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and Albian Ajeti secured the victory.

Hutton admits it was strange to hear a player admitting he was too fatigued to play and suggested there could be a whole host of reasons behind the decisions.

Hutton told Football Insider: “He obviously said he was tired, did he have a chat with him on the Friday and said he wasn’t feeling right? I do find it a little bit strange.

“I would never have done that, if I’m honest. I think the manager would have to pull me out on his own, it would never be me going to him.

“It’s been a difficult situation for everybody and everybody dealing with it in their own way. He obviously played international not so long ago, he has played in a lot of games, he’s just come back from an injury so it could be a whole host of reasons.

“We’ll probably not find out any of them – it’s just a case of he’s tired and he’s been rested – but we don’t know, he could have been carrying a niggle.

“I’m sure Lennon will be trying to protect him because he’s their main player and they’ll want him 100 per cent fit for the games coming up.”

In other Celtic news, West Brom are plotting a late deal to sign a £12million-rated Hoops ace.