Neil Lennon often likes to keep the media guessing with regards to his team selection during press conferences. The Northern Irishman is asked about personnel in virtually every meeting with the broadcast media, and he usually bats it away by telling them to mind their own business. Today was a little different though.
The manager calmly gave away the secret that Olivier Ntcham would start the game against Rennes. He did it nonchalantly, dropping it into an answer about how he keeps his rotating stars motivated.
“You can do it with individuals rather than looking at the whole 11,” he explained, as broadcast by the official Celtic YouTube page. (9 mins)
“For this game, we spoke to Ntcham before the game on Saturday and said ‘you’re going to be on the bench but you’ll start on Thursday.’
“So you can do it maybe now and again with the odd individual but, as a group, it’s more difficult.”
Rennes game gives Ntcham a perfect opportunity
It’s perhaps a little surprising then that news of the Frenchman’s inclusion hasn’t been reported more widely. It’s hardly the shock of the century but the midfielder has made just one start since September and none in Europe since the infamous Cluj qualifier.
Ntcham’s inclusion against Rennes should mean another game on the right for Ryan Christie. The Scotland man did fine there on Saturday against Livingston while James Forrest excelled in the unnatural position of left-wing. Those two should both feature against Rennes with Scott Brown and Callum McGregor anchoring the midfield behind Ntcham.
It’s set to be another big night for the former Genoa man. He’s been given a chance to shine against a team from the league he undoubtedly wants to play in one day. If he wants to put himself in the shop window he’s unlikely to get a better chance. Perhaps that’s what has swung Lennon’s thinking, with Tom Rogic benched.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
