Andy Halliday tries to defend his controversial Celtic decision

Judging from his Rangers past and history against Celtic, it should not come as a shocker that Andy Halliday is not the biggest fan of the Green-and-White side of Glasgow. And the Hearts midfielder has come out swinging against the Hoops, changing his previous Old Firm XI to include zero players from Neil Lennon’s team.

According to Glasgow Live, the 29-year-old has changed his mind from his Old Firm Best XI released earlier in the season, from having three Celtic players in the original version to an all Rangers squad now as their league lead has stretched to a whopping 23 points.

Speaking with Simon Ferry on Open Ball: Keeping the Ball on the Ground, Halliday gave his updated XI that included just Rangers players now as the side are “streets ahead” of the Hoops. He had already caught flak from fans earlier for including only three of Lennon’s players in his original XI.

The biggest name left off the list, and one Halliday has slammed previously for being “not as good as he thinks he is”, is Odsonne Edouard. The 23-year-old Frenchman has had a dip in form as well as some injuries to deal with on the campaign with “just” 15 goals in 26 appearances this year, but there is still no doubt he is a stud up front with plenty of potential left.

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Halliday picks zero Celtic players in his Old Firm XI

After previously slamming the young striker, however, Halliday now claims his exclusion of the player from this XI is simply due to the side’s lack of form over the campaign as reported by Glasgow Live:

"“Edouard on top form is bigger than Celtic and Rangers, he is.“In my opinion he could play easily in the top six in the Premier League and I think there are players in Celtic who are [capable of that].“But based on the form just now I don’t think you are putting one Celtic player in the team.”"

With their run of form and slip down the table this season it is understandable to see some players left out, but the side have shown they still have plenty of fight with a 4-0 win over Kilmarnock on Tuesday. Edouard netted twice in the victory, potentially showing a return to form for the star man, which would be desperately needed down the stretch for Lennon’s Bhoys.

With 18 months left on his contract, however, it now appears that Edouard is reportedly refusing to extend his time in Glasgow, as it looks increasingly likely that he will be departing Parkhead next summer.