CELTIC could be without star striker Odsonne Edouard during the qualifying rounds of next season's Champions League - as the Frenchman might be representing his country at the Olympics in Japan.

The delayed 2020 Games are scheduled to go ahead from 23 July to 8 August next summer - right in the middle of the preliminary rounds of European competition - and according to reports, Edouard is in the frame for a seat on the plane to Tokyo.

Edouard has been in scintillating form for his country's Under-21 side with 15 goals to his name in just 10 outings, prompting rumours of a promotion to the Under-23 squad that will compete in Tokyo next summer.

According to the Daily Record, the Celtic forward is being "lined up" to lead the line for France in Japan - meaning he'll miss some crucial games for the Parkhead club.

Even if Celtic fail in their quest to seal an historic tenth consecutive league title this season, they are likely to be involved in the qualifying rounds for the Champions League anyway as an improvement to our coefficient means Scotland now gets two entrants in Europe's premier club competition.

Celtic last qualified for the group stages of the Champions League back in the 2017/18 campaign.