TIME TO MOVE OVER ARMSTRONG
Power-packed Ntcham shows he’s ready to fill the boots of out-of-contract Stu
OLIVIER NTCHAM was awarded his first Celtic goal at Firhill, just as Stuart Armstrong scored his first at the same venue two-and-a-half years ago.
Having emulated his team-mate at the home of Partick Thistle, it raised debate on whether he’ll now replace him on a full-time basis.
With Armstrong’s contract unsigned and long-term future not yet resolved, Ntcham made another big statement over his ability to offset any departure while the Scot sat on the bench for most of this match.
The 21-year-old Frenchman cost £4.5million, big bucks in Premiership terms, and last night he gave reason to believe it was money well spent.
Ntcham and Armstrong are not the same types. They offer different skillsets. But in terms of effectiveness and the ability to influence proceedings from the engine-room, the new arrival did everything asked of him and was key to winning the game as Brendan Rodgers’ team made it two-from-two in their title defence.
Ntcham’s dominant first-half show gave the champions the platform for a 51st domestic contest undefeated.
His magnificent 20-yard volley won the match. You could make a case for it being Scott Brown’s goal as the netbound cracker flicked off the captain as it rampaged into the net, but the technique and the strike all belonged to Ntcham. In any case, the officials gave him it, so it’s his.
And the contribution was required because, in the end, it wasn’t exactly comfortable. Particularly through a second-half where Thistle got stronger. Having hit nine in two visits to this venue last term, this Celtic victory was less swashbuckling. More about substance than style.
Thistle screamed for a penalty and the chance of a first point of the season in stoppage-time when sub Miles Storey went down in the box under a challenge from Nir Bitton.
It looked a strong shout, but wasn’t given by referee Andrew Dallas and Celtic survived. In fairness, they deserved to do so, but it seemed odd after such a lengthy spell in control that it could have been such a close shave.
No matter. Celtic got their win to take confidence into Wednesday’s Champions League crunch against Astana – Ntcham’s will be sky high. Armstrong took his place with 15 minutes to go, but he’d done his bit. He’d won the game.
Celtic bossed the opening half and, crucially, had a goal to show for it. James Forrest got his chance in attack with Leigh Griffiths left out of the line-up, surely with Astana in mind.
The champions, as expected, opened on the front foot. Kieran Tierney put Scott Sinclair beyond Steven Lawless to provide a pull back. Forrest accepted the delivery, but his shot was saved by Tomas Cerny.
The Jags keeper then watched as Forrest shot wide from a Ntcham pass. The French kid was popping off passes and doing the job usually reserved for his captain Brown, who kept guard alongside. They would soon combine in a less conventional manner for the first goal.
Alan Archibald’s team endured a