Olly deal proves that inter-City line is working well for Hoops

THE newest recruit at Celtic, French midfielder Olivier Ntcham, is another sign of the healthy relationship there is currently between the club and Manchester City.

Over the last few years, Celtic have benefitted form various loan agreements between the two clubs, in the form of striker John Guidetti, Jason Denayer, and in particular last season with winger Patrick Roberts who proved to be one of the stars during Celtic’s perfect season.

The relationship has also been quite lucrative for the English giants as well, with the signing of stopper Dedryck Boyata and again yesterday with £4m splashed out on the 21-year-old Ntcham.

Staying with Roberts for a minute, I don’t think there is any doubt that during his time in Glasgow he improved greatly as a player, and, in terms of his overall maturity.

I’d say that, in addition to Brendan Rodgers, that Celtic Park became a more attractive proposition for Ntcham based on how others had been treated before him.

It also looks, given his age – and that of players like Moussa Dembele, Kundai Benyu and Kouassi Eboue – that Celtic are getting back to investing in young players of a certain pedigree, who have potential, rather than spending silly money on ‘named’ players.

Another department where Celtic appear to be getting their strategy just right.