SCOTT BROWN has praised his midfield partner Olivier Ntcham after the Frenchman’s resurgence in a Celtic jersey this season.

Ntcham started off this season in the periphery of the team and when he did get game time many believed trying to jam Oli into the team was to the overall detriment of the starting XI.

Now in February, Ntcham has come to the forefront and has been a steady player for Celtic. The midfielder’s goal in the Stadio Olympico the obvious highlight of his recent run.

He does the dirty side of the game too though and looked comfortable in poor conditions against Clyde in the Scottish Cup at the weekend.

The Frenchman opened the scoring on his birthday and helped the bhoys into the quarter final of the competition. This is a stark contrast to the start of the season when questions were raised about the player’s future after Ntcham was quoted in the French press saying he’d run his race at the club.

Right now, his captain Scott Brown is full of praise for Oli and his contribution to the side.

“Olivier loves it here. He’s enjoying playing, and he’s showing his quality on the park. Everyone appreciates that.” Brown told RecordSport.

“He tracks back too, that’s what the manager wants.

“He played a little deeper at Clyde than he normally does with Callum McGregor being out and Ryan Christie being in the team, so he got a wee bit more of the ball.

“As soon as he gets it he’s got that drive to go forward. He can go past somebody, he’s got a goal in him, and he’s go the vision to see a pass too.

“He’s very confident on the ball and he’s always a willing to take it in any situation.

“He chips in with goals as well, and his finish here was incredible from where he was.

“He’s managed to take a touch and whip it in, and it’s one of those that either goes in at the back post or someone manages to get a touch to take it in.

“That’s what he brings, but he’s also got that drive, he can play wee one-twos, and his link-up play with Odsonne Edouard, Callum and Leigh Griffiths recently has been phenomenal.”

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