OLIVIER Ntcham last night stressed he has no intention of leaving Celtic and is fully committed to helping the Parkhead club enjoy further domestic and European success this season.
Ntcham fuelled speculation that he might move back in July when he admitted he was disappointed that interest from Porto didn’t amount to anything and had been flattered to be linked with Marseille.
But the French midfielder, who scored an injury-time winner against Lazio in Rome last month, revealed he is content in Glasgow now and looking forward to the remainder of the season.
Neil Lennon’s side take on Rangers, who they are level on points with at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership, in the Betfred Cup on Sunday and will play in the last 32 of the Europa League next year.
Ntcham, who missed the 4-1 win over Ross County in Dingwall on Sunday with an injury, is keen to be a part of the treble treble winners’ forthcoming matches.
“I am focused on Celtic 150 percent,” said Ntcham. “I am focused on working hard every day in training and on the pitch. I am not spending my time looking around.
“There was talk about my future, but I am fully concentrated on the present. You never know what happens in football tomorrow, but I want to enjoy my time today.
“It’s a very exciting time at Celtic. There are a lot of games but if we win them it will be even more exciting. We are used to winning but we are still hungry in every single game.
“I am feeling good. I still think I need a few more games to be at my best but I am going in the right direction. I think there is a lot more to come because I’m not quite fully fit just yet, in terms of matches. I am enjoying playing though.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here