Some Celtic fans aren’t too happy with the performances of midfielder Olivier Ntcham following the club’s recent 2-1 win over St. Mirren in the Premiership on Boxing Day.
The Hoops picked up a 2-1 win on Thursday. James Forrest, who was starting on the left side of the midfield, scored a goal. Central midfielder Callum McGregor also scored a goal of his own, but Cameroon Macpherson pulled one back for St. Mirren in the 89th minute. But it was a mere consolation.
The game saw Ryan Christie start on the right of the midfield, apart from Forrest starting on the left. Olivier Ntcham, though, started in midfield.
Celtic fans: Should Ntcham start against Rangers?
Never!
Why not, adds physicality
But not many Hoops fans are pleased about the performance of the former Manchester City man.
I think he’s getting sold mate
— Bradford Bhoy (@essexbhoys) December 26, 2019
Three points in the bag and that’s what matters. Time to end the Ntcham experiment once and for all.
— Eddie Keane (@Eddiek62) December 26, 2019
If he starts sunday we will be in trouble.
— there is no old firm (@wrighty1888) December 26, 2019
We are an accident just waiting to happen. Let’s pray it’s not Sunday when it happens
— Joe Morgan (@joemorgan4) December 26, 2019
Looks and feels like we are trying to generate an offer in January for Nitcham, but hampers is greatly in how we can play
— TB (@Hiperdino1888) December 26, 2019
100% – we’re trying to accommodate him and totally buggering up the shape of the team
— Pol MacFhionnghaile ?? (@mcginleybhoy) December 26, 2019
Ntcham’s, perhaps, most important moment of the season came at the Stadio Olimpico two months ago. He won the club a crucial game away to Lazio in the UEFA Europa League and then rounded it off with a memorable cartwheel celebration.
This season, the Frenchman has played 27 times in all competitions for the Hoops. He has scored five times, racking up four assists. He has started all five of the club’s last five Premiership games, coming up with a crucial goal away to Hearts.
Last season, the midfielder played 37 games in all competitions. He racked up a tally of six goals and a single assist.
Ntcham, who is now valued at £4.28 million (as per Transfermarkt), joined the Parkhead-based side from Manchester City in the summer of 2017 and arrived for a fee of around £4.5m.
What do we think?
Forrest and Christie’s goalscoring numbers clearly show that they are more creative than Ntcham. Forrest has racked up 30 goal contributions, while Christie has also had a hand in 30 goals this season. But Ntcham is more of that player who can thrive in situations when the club is a goal up or defending a lead. Indeed, it feels as though fans are no longer sold on the idea of having the Frenchman at the club and look as though they would not mind seeing him pack his bags in January.