CELTIC welcomed back Olivier Ntcham to Lennoxtown last Monday where the Frenchman had to face the music with regards to his comments to the French media.
The midfielder was quoted as saying he would like to leave Celtic this summer and going to a club like marseille would help his development because the SPFL isn’t up to scratch.
Neil Lennon admitted he and his squad were baffled by Ntcham’s outburst and would talk to him upon arrival back to the squad.
The Celtic manager confirmed they had clear the air talks last week and everything was fine. Speaking to RecordSport, Neil said:
“He was disappointed with the way it came across, that wasn’t his intention,” Lennon said.
“We have had a nice chat, a private chat, and it’s not an issue now. He is back in the group and training and getting ready for the new season.”
Given what he said would be hard for it to come across any other way than it is.
Speaking to L’Equipe the player was quoted as saying: “Celtic have given me a lot, but it’s the best solution for my development.
“We can do as many matches as we want but, with all due respect for my opponents, if the level in front is not high, you do not progress.
“I was disappointed I didn’t go to Porto last summer.”
Sorry, but what way did he mean to come across here? It seems as if he’s come back to Lennoxtown, shrugged his shoulders, offered a flimsy excuse and gone about his business.
After being man enough to make the comments he should be man enough to own those same comments.
Neil Lennon’s explanation was flimsy too. He knows he has an unsettled player on his hands but to say that out loud would lessen his value, we get that.
However, there are no signs Ntcham has expressed regret at the L’Equpe interview. Seeing as he’s on social media quite often, if he thought the publication had misrepresented him then he could have simply let us all know through social media when it first happened or even last week when he came back.
If Celtic can get the fee their looking for with regards to Olivier then he looks more out the door than in at Celtic Park.
Well maybe now some team will come calling and Celtic will make his dream come true,maybe it will end up like that and every one will be happy…