Who’s in the Celtic side of recent times has become fairly predictable in recent times as Neil Lennon’s side have powered to eight wins on the bounce with the midfield places especially stable.
When available it’s Scott Brown alongside Callum McGregor, Ryan McGregor in the advanced role behind Odsonne Edouard, James Forrest on the right and Moi Elyounoussi on the left.
It’s been tough on Tom Rogic and Olivier Ntcham, they’ve not done much wrong, both are known match-winners but are unable to un-seat the men in possession.
Yesterday Lennon made the unusual move of stating that Ntcham will play from the start against Rennes. Although Celtic are already through to the knock out phase it is an usual move with Brown playing as well as he ever has, McGregor is never rested and Christie still on the bounce that started last October!
Elyounoussi’s injury opened the door for Rogic on Saturday against Livingston but tonight Ntcham will be in the starting XI to face Rennes with his manager noticing a change in the Frenchman over recent times.
9 minutes 30 seconds
Lennon told The Sun:
I saw a difference in Olivier, even before Rome. We had a chat about his comments earlier in the season — whether they were misconstrued, there may have been some truth in them but he has really settled down now, and he is training very well.
He’s been brilliant in the games he has played. He’s been unfortunate not to play more often, that’s just down to the quality of the rest. He is happy to be a part of it. The goal in Rome may just have changed his outlook.
He is some player, really high calibre in his manipulation of the ball. We are seeing more consistency from him now, when previously he was more up and down.
Certainly, on the ball he has fantastic technique and he works hard at that. Going the other way, defensively, he is improving that aspect as well.
Olivier and Odsonne Edouard have a really good understanding on the pitch, and they are quite close away from it. They are two very creative, penetrating players. I think they like playing in the same team.
The way Olivier is seeing things now, he might feel: ‘Why shouldn’t I stay here?’ Things are going well now. We’ve beaten Lazio away and he played a huge part in that.
Maybe that makes him think the grass isn’t always greener, and he can fulfil a lot of things at Celtic for whatever length of time he’s here.
After playing for France in the u-21 European Championships Ntcham gave an interview with L’Equipe in which he was dismissive of the standard of Scottish football.
Rumours of interest from Porto and Marseilles failed to materialise during the summer leaving the midfielder to fight it out for a place in the Celtic side.
