Celtic should hand player of the year-elect Odsonne Edouard a bumper new contract, according to Charlie Nicholas.

Former Hoops striker Nicholas rates the Frenchman incredibly highly and believes the player can make the difference for Celtic in their nine in a row bid this season.

Nicholas reckons Edouard could make it in the Manchester United or Chelsea first-team as things stand, as he is BETTER than countryman and big-money Premier League target Moussa Dembele.

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And he says Celts should throw cash at their star player to reward his form and loyalty. "Odsonne Edouard is good enough to go and play at a Chelsea or a Manchester United," Nicholas wrote in his Daily Express column. "I say that with some confidence. I think he could go into both their squads and make a real impact.

"Why have I picked these clubs? Because they have both been linked with his former Celtic strike partner Moussa Dembele in recent months. For me, Edouard is a better footballer than the Lyon striker and his fellow Frenchman.

"He is absolutely nailed on to win the player of the year award in my opinion. If I was Celtic I would be looking to add to that feel-good factor by giving him a new contract. Reward him for what he is doing. You don't even have to extend the length of his contract but put him up there as the top earner.

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"Why not? It is not going to kill Celtic. They posted good financial figures, so why not use some of that money to strengthen their title bid? They haven't got nine-in-a-row wrapped up yet, although they are in a good position. Topping Edouard up would fire him up and put Celtic in an even better position.

"It would also show a bit of loyalty from Celtic and it might also work in their favour in the long run when Edouard considers his own future. We all know that he'll eventually go, but Celtic need to keep him as long as they can because they will find it very hard to replace him.

"When Edouard does leave it will be for another huge fee. It will be for big money, I'd say around £30million rather than the £40m or £50m that has been mentioned previously."