Celtic received a fitness boost ahead of next Sunday’s Glasgow derby against Rangers. Olivier Ntcham, who has not played since December, played 45 minutes of a friendly against Morton on Friday.
Ntcham’s return to fitness leaves Celtic interim boss Neil Lennon with a dilemma for the Glasgow derby. That is, will the player be fit enough to return to first-team action to be involved in the game?
Too much of a gamble
The answer is probably not. It would be too much of a gamble to throw the player into such a high-pressure game without any first-team football for once.
If Ntcham is to be involved against Rangers at all, a place on the substitutes’ bench would make more sense. Indeed, it would not be a shock if he doesn’t make the squad at all for the game.
No need to rush
There is no need to rush the player back into action. Celtic have a 10 point lead at the top of the table. They can afford to take their time with Ntcham’s recovery.
It would be a real blow to the player and the club if he came back too quickly and suffered another injury problem. So, even though it is great news that Ntcham is on the road to fitness, it might be too much of a gamble to involve him against Rangers.
Ntcham and Lennon have a decision to make this week, but the player’s long-term fitness should come first.
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