Might a former Celtic hero help Haiti surprise Scotland?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Odsonne Edouard scored 87 goals in 162 appearances for Celtic across all competitionsByEmma SmithBBC Sport journalistPublished22 minutes agoAs opening World Cup games go, Scotland will have been quite content to be facing a relative minnow in Haiti.But thanks to some savvy scouts and persuasive agents, the war-torn Caribbean island are putting together a team which hopes to shock Steve Clarke’s side when Group C begins on 14 June.Players called up include Premier League stars with Haitian ancestry, including Wolves midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor – plus potentially former Celtic hero Odsonne Edouard.Edouard scored 57 goals in 94 league matches for Celtic between 2018 and 2021, helping them to successive domestic trebles.Now playing for Lens in Ligue 1, the 28-year-old represented France at youth level but has never played for them at senior international level. His parents are of Haitian heritage, hence they are hoping to recruit him for the World Cup.Nothing is guaranteed, though, as convincing players to represent countries they were not born in – and have maybe never visited – can be tricky.”Edouard is a possibility, but the player is also French – he might be called up for France,” Fifa agent Jerome Salbert, who works closely with the Haiti FA in talent ID and recruitment, told BBC Sport.
“His father is Haitian but he was raised in France. It is difficult for him to decide if he accepts, as he would prefer to play for France.”
