Celtic legend Jackie McNamara has said he would not be surprised to see midfielder Olivier Ntcham be sold this summer.
The 23-year-old, who was signed from Manchester City in the summer of 2017 for £4.5million, has made 35 appearances for the Hoops this term, including 16 in the Scottish Premiership.
Speaking to Football Insider, however, McNamara said Ntcham – who has scored six goals for Celtic this term – could be linked again with a move away from Glasgow.
“I think last year he did really well, he came into it, he looked a fantastic midfielder,” the former player said. “This year he’s tailed off and the last few games – I watched the game last week – he didn’t look sharp or on it in the game fitness wise.
“Maybe it’s second season syndrome, sometimes a player comes in, the first season they’re incredible, the second year, it usually happens with the younger ones… Whether or not he can regain his form next year, if he’s still there – that’s the big thing.
“I don’t see why not,” McNamara added when asked if Ntcham could leave. “You want the best players playing at their peak, that might be why he was linked to a move in January and didn’t happen – maybe wait till the summer and that might be in the back of his mind as well.”
OPINION
McNamara’s point is valid and right – there is not much point keeping Ntcham around this summer. He has made less appearances this season – 35 – than the 48 he managed last term, while his stats have also declined in the current campaign. While he has netted six goals and registered one assist in all competitions this term, he managed nine goals and six assists last season. Out of all the signings Celtic have made in the past few seasons – including Scott Sinclair and Moussa Dembele – this is one of the worst and it is clear that he has not offered much this season, while it is also clear Celtic have not missed him much either. The Hoops have their sights set on a historic ‘treble treble’ of trophies, and with the club wanting to make it nine Premiership titles in a row next season, they would be much better off selling Ntcham and reinvesting the money in another player.