Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
No move for Mike
Celts break the bank on Man City youngster Ntcham & Frenchman is confident he can justify the £4.5m Brendan Rodgers spent on him
HEARTS boss Ian Cathro has rubbished reports linking Northern Ireland international goalkeeper Michael Mcgovern with a move to the capital club.
Cathro is still in the market for a new shotstopper but he is adamant the former Hamilton Accies No.1 will not be pitching up in Gorgie.
Last month Cathro was also forced to deny that Hearts were interested in recruiting ex-rangers and Scotland international goalkeeper Allan Mcgregor from Hull City.
There is a burgeoning Northern Irish contingent in the Tynecastle dressing room with the likes of assistant Austin Macphee, defenders Aaron Hughes and Michael Smith as well as new hitman Kyle Lafferty.
But Cathro said: “People spot patterns and think we’re going to sign every Northern Ireland player now. It’s untrue.
“There’s nothing in it and we can move on.” CELTIC new boy Olivier Ntcham insists that he can cope with the pressure of playing in the Scottish Premiership and will fully justify his huge transfer fee.
Ntcham signed a four deal as Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers shelled out a whopping £4.5 million for the former Manchester City midfielder.
The 21-year-old becomes Celtic’s highest purchase since Gordon Strachan stumped up £4.4 million to take current skipper Scott Brown to Parkhead from Hibs in the summer of 2007.
Ntcham said: “No, the money does not put pressure on me. For me, it makes me happy because the club is showing a lot of faith in me.
“When you buy a player, you buy him because he can do big things on the pitch.
“I hope this is what I can show for Celtic. The money is not a problem.
“It is a challenge and I am looking forward to it.
“It is a very exciting challenge to join a club who were unbeatable last season.
“I hope we can do it again.”
Ntcahm admits he is delighted to have swapped a relegation battle with Serie A side Genoa - whom he spent the last two seasons on loan – for a club that is challenging and expected to win titles and honours. Ntcham said: “‘I am looking forward to it. Everything is different here with Celtic in Glasgow. “In Italy, when you play for Genoa, you know you are not going to finish in first position. “The big clubs with the big money finish in that position.
“‘You don’t really think you are going to win something. “The main thing is to fight to stay in the Italian league every season. Here at Celtic, you want to win every single thing you play in. You are expected to win and I like that attitude.”
During his time at Genoa, a watching brief on parent club City last season put his move to Parkhead in motion.
He said: “I saw Celtic play against City in the Champions League and they were good games. I was impressed with Celtic and the thing that convinced me most to come was the Champions League. Not every player can play in it, that’s why I’m here.
“I’ve never had the chance before but I’ve heard it’s unbelievable to play in and that’s what I want to do.
“I’m just happy to be here at Celtic and glad we got the deal over the line. It was difficult at times but we achieved our target.”
Ntcham admits no move to Celtic would have been complete without consulting compatriot Moussa Dembele.
The midfield powerhouse has played alongside the Hoops striker (left) in French youth sides since he was 14, representing his country at every level up to under-21.
He said: “I’ve known Moussa for a long time and I have played with him as kids in the national teams.
“I spoke to him and Dedryck Boyata before I joined. Moussa told me it was great to win everything and that he was very happy here.”