New Celtic signing Olivier Ntcham has admitted that he isn’t fit enough to play right now with a Champions League qualifying clash coming up against Linfield on Friday evening.
The Hoops confirmed the signing of the 21-year-old attacker on Wednesday via their official Twitter account and website on a four-year deal from Premier League giants Manchester City.
? The wait is finally over! Olivier Ntcham joins #CelticFC on a four-year deal. Welcome, Olivier! #NtchamisaCelt
?? https://t.co/pSalYIdKhs pic.twitter.com/efas3rwWpX
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 12, 2017
Many Celtic fans had hoped to get an early glimpse of what Ntcham had to offer the team, as most fans do and with a clash against Linfield coming up it presented a great opportunity to show what the France Under-21 international could bring.
However, after signing, Ntcham himself made the admission that after missing pre-season with the Hoops so far he is not fit enough for a match, as quoted by the club’s official Twitter account.
? ON: "My body weight is good but I don’t think I’m fit to play right now." #NtchamisaCelt
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) July 12, 2017
Ntcham has spent the last two years on loan in Serie A with Genoa in a similar move which saw Celtic acquire Patrick Roberts from the cash-rich Manchester club.
The number 10 ended up playing 41 times in total while in Italy, scoring three times, while assisting twice.
He will now be hoping to gain more consistency with Celtic and he will be looking to build a formidable partnership in the attack with fellow countryman Moussa Dembele.