Olivier Ntcham

I actually don’t think our fans are guilty of that with Ntcham. I’d argue he probably divides opinion in our support more than any other current player (though Christie is suddenly chasing him down for that award). On one hand there are fans who think he’s a class above and should be one of the first names on the team sheet every week. On the other there are fans who recognise how talented he is, but don’t think he’s anywhere near consistent enough. It’s only natural that the latter group are happy to commend him when he plays well, but quick to point out his faults when he doesn’t. I certainly don’t think I’ve ever been unfair on him, I just expect better from him.

Put it this way, I’d sooner have him in the team away to AC Milan than at home to Ross County. Nothing tactical, just I know he’d bother turning up for one of those games, whereas the other doesn’t whet his appetite. I’d honestly struggle to pick ten domestic games since he arrived that he’s been anything close to as dominant as he should be.

 

Och aye - me and @Albian Ajeti can often be found at (Afro) French Eddie history lectures!

 

I think in terms of actual performance, that's true; but in terms of potential and natural ability, a lot of people see Ntcham as better than McGregor.

I feel a bit like Matt Hancock after writing that.

 

Very, very poor yesterday.

He has all the talent needed to boss games up here but most of the time he is a passenger. He's also very ineffective when he gets the ball.

 

Talent and potential means nothing without being able to apply it. McGregor has the application needed to be a top player.

 

Kind of what I meant with the Matt Hancock comment TBH. I do think Ntcham has amazing potential, but there comes a point when talk of "capacity to test" becomes meaningless if you never actually use it.

 

DL on
@OlivierNtcham
: “I can’t wait to see him and play with him again. Olivier is a great player and a great person as well.”

 

Apparently Bordeaux and Brest tried to loan him late tonight..

 

I honestly think he'll leave in January, obvious that Lennon prefers Brown, Mcgregor and Christie in midfield and as talanted as Ntcham is, I think we'll try and develop turnbull more.

 

Let him go and get Wilshire in....

 

Wilshire

 

Rejected

 

Aye him and another I can see leaving in the next window..

 

How much did they offer?

 

IN Glasgow derby terms, the first of the 2018/19 campaign was as enthralling as they come.

In the opening half-hour alone, James Forrest sent an exquisite 20-yard volley off the crossbar, Mikael Lustig battered the woodwork with a glancing header, Odsonne Edouard forced a fine two-handed save from Alan McGregor at point-blank range, and the Rangers stopper somehow avoided a red card after stamping on Kris Ajer – an off the ball incident missed by referee Willie Collum and his assistants – much to the disbelief of the Paradise faithful.

Just five months earlier, the previous derby in Glasgow’s East End saw the Hoops crush their rivals 5-0 to clinch their seventh successive championship, and, despite a tighter scoreline this time around, this was as dominant a performance. This occasion was also Steven Gerard’s first taste of the fixture and, having gone 13 games without defeat to that point, the Liverpudlian was expected to challenge the champions.

Into the second half, and Frenchman Olivier Ntcham gleaned Celtic’s best chance of the match when he drifted in from the inside-left channel, fired a low drive back across goal from 30 yards, but was denied by the fingertips of McGregor, the stopper pushing the ball at full stretch up and on to the woodwork for a third time inside the hour.

The Bhoys would hit the upright once more that afternoon, but would also hit the net before then. In the 62nd minute, Tom Rogic gracefully turned defence into attack with a pulsating run from deep inside his own half, before feeding the ball to Odsonne Edouard at the edge of the opposition penalty area. The striker found the overlapping Forrest to his right, who in turn stabbed the ball back across the box into the path of Ntcham, who made no mistake from six yards.





This weekend, the first Glasgow derby of the 2020/21 campaign takes place at Celtic Park. Olivier Ntcham remembers his strike two years ago fondly, but said he doesn’t care who scores on Saturday, as long as they’re wearing green and white.

There won’t be fans inside Paradise this time around amid the ongoing global pandemic, but the Frenchman reckons that won’t dampen the determination of the nine-in-a-row champions to claim three points.

“We’d prefer fans in the stands for this game, obviously, but with or without a crowd, this game will always be exciting,” said Ntcham in an exclusive interview with this week’s Celtic View, on sale now. “I’m really looking forward to it and so is every player in our changing room. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to score in this game, but the most important thing is that we get the win and keep going in this way. It doesn’t matter who scores, so long as they’re on our side!

“We’ve started the season well, but there’s always room for improvement, especially at a club like Celtic. I think we could be scoring more goals, for example, but as long as we keep winning, as we have been, then that’s good for us as well.

“Playing without fans is still strange, I feel, because the Celtic fans are known for being very passionate and loud in every match, home or away. Even before games, when we’re driving to the park, or just before kick-off, when you’re walking down the tunnel and you don’t hear them on the other side – that’s so, so strange.

“For me, this also helps the opposition, especially at Celtic Park, because they can come to us and play with less pressure. On the pitch, our job remains the same, this is okay, but in your mind you do have to adjust. It’s a little bit different.”

 

I pray you never play for my team again you absolutely * disgraceful shitebag waste of talent

 

I would be happy to never see him in a Celtic shirt again. 'On his day tho......but, but, but' * off!

 

An imposter.

A strong manager would freeze him out.