Chris Sutton doesn’t think Olivier Ntcham is a good fit in Celtic midfield

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Pundit and former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has criticised midfielder Olivier Ntcham this weekend, writing in his weekly Daily Record column.

Ntcham has had a controversial summer having spoken to French media outlet L’Equipe about his frustrations in not being able to join Porto last season and desire to play against a better standard of opposition than in Scotland.

However, with that issue put to bed by Neil Lennon, he’s again been included in recent action. He came off the bench against Nomme Kalju last week and will now apparently build his fitness ahead of more appearances.

Sutton though isn’t convinced, writing in The Daily Record: “Olivier Ntcham looks as though his race is run at Parkhead and on the occasions he has also been pushed into a more offensive position it again became a little bit too slow and predictable.

“The Frenchman has ability. But he doesn’t do things rapid and off the cuff.”

Does Ntcham have a Celtic future?

At the moment the chances look good that he’ll be at Celtic for the forthcoming season. No team has shown any serious transfer interest in him so far. He’s also apparently happy to put his media problems behind them and get back to Hoops action.

What’s been slightly forgotten in his ‘want-away’ drama is that the midfielder signed a long-term contract just last November. He committed himself to the club until 2022. It is not the action of a man desperate to depart Glasgow.

Is Sutton right about him slowing Celtic down?

There’s no doubt than Ntcham is more contemplative on the ball compared to a midfielder like Ryan Christie. However, that’s kind of the point of his style of play. He’s a patient player who has the vision and ability to pick out a key pass that can unlock an opposition defence.

Celtic will need different kinds of midfielders for different challenges this season. A swashbuckling direct style isn’t going to cut it against everyone.

The Frenchman has shown in the past he contribute on the big occasion. Far from his ‘race being run’, unless he is desperate for a move away, he’s well worth keeping around.