Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that there was interest in midfielder Olivier Ntcham over the summer.
The Northern Irishman has admitted that the Frenchman was coveted by those outside Parkhead, but that he was ultimately able to convince him to stay.
“There was interest in him from other clubs but it was given short shrift, of course,” he told the Daily Record. “You know at some period he’ll move on. But he’s loved his time here and the new deal is great news for him and for the club.
“You’re always a wee bit worried that when someone like Moussa [Dembele] leaves, Oli – who is close to him – might think about going. But it’s football and we reassured him that it’s about his career. We’re here to develop and improve him. We told him that at some point he will probably go as well but it’s important that he becomes the best player he can be at Celtic.”
OPINION
It’s interesting that Rodgers openly admitted that he had to convince Ntcham to stay over the summer, that’s not normally something a manager would share with the media. Ntcham is still young and the best place for him right now probably is Celtic. He is at a big club where he can win trophies, but he’s not under the pressure that he would be playing for a top team in the Premier League, for example. Dembele obviously moved on from Celtic in the summer to move to Lyon, and when two players are friends it’s natural to worry that the remaining talent may want to seek a move away as well. However, Rodgers did what he needed to do and reassured the midfielder that he belongs at Parkhead for the time being. Ntcham has responded with a fine start to the season and looks to be going from strength to strength for the Hoops. The club’s supporters, and Rodgers, will be hoping that that remains the case for some time to come.