OPINION
Celtic are almost certainly going to win the Premiership title once again this season but they were made to bide their time with a bore 0-0 draw against Kilmarnock on Sunday afternoon.
With Rangers having won their game over the weekend the Hoops knew they would not be having a title party but at the same time could have strengthened their grip on the trophy with a victory of their own.
Instead it was a disappointing performance from the side who have romped their way to the top of the table and there were no doubt a fair few fans with their head in their hands – or perhaps even fast asleep – after watching on.
The game saw midfielder Olivier Ntcham start his third match in the club’s last four outings but it was a day to forget for the French 23-year-old, who struggled to show the same sort of form which had fans drooling over him last season.
He has been a brilliant player for the Hoops but things have not clicked for him this season and it was another off day on Sunday afternoon.
It was not just the Parkhead faithful who would have been left unimpressed with what they saw from Ntcham, with the midfield maestro leaving pundit Alex Rae gobsmacked for all the wrong reasons.
Speaking on Clyde 1’s Superscoreboard, he said: “Yesterday I couldn’t believe what I was watching. He was passing the ball out of the park.
“I think he has lost his way a little bit. I think his pal Dembele leaving hasn’t helped him. For me, when he is on his game he is one of the standout midfielders in the country.”
Unfortunately for Celtic it was not the first time Ntcham has failed to perform to the high standards expected in Glasgow this season and with the club looking to move forward next season, such poor performances cannot be accepted.
With Porto having been linked with a £14million bid for the Frenchman in January by the Scottish Sun, the Hoops board may well be hoping to see a similar price tag come their way and if an offer does come in then they must consider cashing in on his sale.
That sort of money would go a long way to boosting the Bhoys’ budget for the summer and so Ntcham could well fund a big upgrade job.