OLIVIER NTCHAM is in for an interesting Monday when the player finally rejoins the squad after the summer break. Ntcham was afforded more time off after playing his part in France Under 21s Euro campaign.
The midfielder has made life very difficult for himself when he returns to Celtic after taking part in an interview where he publicly made it clear he wants to leave the club without actually telling anyone at the club.
There are shades of Moussa Dembele’s saga last summer and this one still has a long way to run. The Celtic gaffer has confirmed the player will have to come in and speak to his teammates and seek the Celtic manager out as he’s the one who must explain why he has taken a public stance.
He also admits it seems out of character for the Frenchman to take part in an interview like this and would like to hear his full side of the story when he rejoins on Monday.
“I don’t think he’s that type.” Lennon admitted to CelticTV.
“I don’t know if it has been prompted from him or someone else. We’ll get to the bottom of it when he comes in.
“Olivier is due back in on Monday. I haven’t spoken to him yet.
“I don’t need to speak to him, he has to come and see me, his team-mates and the club.
“It’s a question of sitting down and having it out with him.
“Finding out where that came from and what his mindset is. It’s new to me.
“For him to go public about it without speaking to the club first, and for him to go public anyway, is wrong.
“He is under contract. Whether he’s unhappy or not, it shouldn’t have been made for public consumption the way that he has done it.
“Ntcham will be reminded of his responsibilities while he is still here.
“If he wants to go, we will have to sit down and take a view on it.
“We will see him on Monday and then he can start his pre-season work.”
If Celtic could get upwards of £10m for their midfielder you would imagine the deal would be a no brainer.
Oh to be a fly on the wall at Lennoxtown after the weekend!
