Olivier Ntcham has been left out of the Celtic squad to face Linfield tomorrow night.
The midfielder completed his £4m transfer from Manchester City on Wednesday but is staying behind while his new team-mates undergo their first competitive test of the season.
???? CD: “@OlivierNtcham will stay behind and hopefully get some game-time against @OL at the weekend.”
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) July 13, 2017
???? CD on @OlivierNtcham :”Will be involved in the game at the weekend, been training for a few days. Shouldn’t be too long.”
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) July 13, 2017
???? CD: “He knows @MDembele_10 so that personal connection is there already. Been at @ManCity for a few years so understands the culture.”
— Celtic Football Club (@celticfc) July 13, 2017
At £4m it seems certain that Ntcham will go straight into Brendan Rodgers starting XI which intensifies the competition for places in midfield.
The Frenchman seems best suited for the advanced midfield role which puts him in direct competition with Tom Rogic and Stuart Armstrong for a place.
Every manager likes to have competition for places in their team but with Armstrong out of contract at the end of the season his position must be under question.
Before tomorrow’s match kicks off the third round draw will be made for the Champions League with Celtic among the seeded sides in the champions route.
Among the potential opponents are Astana, Hapoel Beer Sheva and Slavia Prague who have all faced the hoops in the last 12 months.