NTCHAM IS OUT OF THIS WORLD AFTER HIS FLASH OF INSPIRATION:
Ntcham basks in the glory of French cup win and hails musketeer mantra at Bhoys’ heart
WHAT a time to be a Frenchman. Particularly when you are valued at £9million and are seen as the player who could inspire your club on to the biggest stage on Europe.
The fact your nation also conquered the world’s best to claim the biggest prize on the planet also tends to help act as motivation.
Odsonne Edouard once again proved money can be well spent. Here he was, delivering the goods to settle nerves for Celtic when things could have wobbled out of control.
Thankfully for Brendan Rodgers’ men, the 20-year-old once again struck to ensure the Parkhead side are in a relatively comfortable position heading in next week’s return leg against Rosenborg in Norway.
It also helps for him to be playing alongside a friend and fellow Frenchman who can also deliver the goods.
Olivier Ntcham’s superb strike just after the break put Celtic ahead at the start of a second half when the hosts were transformed.
Two individuals motivated to help Celtic ensure this is another season to remember. And for the pair there can be no great inspiration than having already watched their nation triumph in Russia to lift the World Cup.
So far, in these very early stages, it has been a decent summer for the French.
‘It’s a good time to be French!’ said Ntcham. ‘We are all very happy with the World Cup and it’s nice to be French right now.
‘Odsonne had a really good game. He scored two very good goals and showed off some skills.
‘He was working for the team. The price (£9m) does not worry him. When you are on the pitch, you can’t think about those things. If you start to think too much then you don’t play.
‘Odsonne is not letting it affect him and he is playing very well. I enjoy playing alongside him.
‘We push each other a lot and it’s good for the team.’
Celtic were being pushed by their manager in a cagey and jittery first half — and the home fans certainly let their side know.
Trailing to an early opening goal by Rosenborg’s Birger Meling, things could have turned out a lot worse.
But, knowing they had the ability to hurt their visitors, Celtic were relieved to see Edouard strike just before the break.
As Ntcham admits, his friend’s English is not perfect. However, he can his talking on the pitch.
Edouard’s second goal, in particular, was a fine finish, set up by a precise James Forest pass.
‘Odsonne is a funny guy,’ said Ntcham. ‘He likes to joke and have a laugh. His English is not so good but he tries, which makes everyone laugh. He’s getting better, though.’
Make no mistake. Edouard’s clever second goal, Celtic’s third in the night, could just prove to be crucial. It may be a cushion that proves enough to see them through, should they stay tight at the back.
Rosenborg fell flat in the second half and will be desperate to get at Celtic early on next week, just as they did last night.
The relief around Celtic Park was evident as the hosts took a 3-1 lead. Rodgers has navigated these qualifiers before and knows his team had to make home advantage count.
Ntcham sees their two-goal advantage as a benefit and will hopefully be enough to avoid an early exit.
‘I am very happy for the team,’
he said. ‘It was a very good performance and we are looking forward to next week.
‘It was a special moment to score the goal. I was happy for me but more for the team. I thought I was going to get a second but I was unlucky as it was a good save.
‘Will the two-goal lead be enough? I think so, yes because we showed how well we could manage the game.
‘Obviously we didn’t start so well, with losing the goal. But we produced a great reaction and could maybe have scored more.’
Much was made of Celtic’s defensive problems heading into this tie. And Jozo Simunovic’s suspension didn’t help matters after his red card in last week’s tie against Alashkert.
One bright spot was the return of Costa Rican right-back Cristian Gamboa.
In his first start since February, he looked composed and unnerved by a return to such a big stage.
Ntcham is confident mood ahead of the trip to Norway and will be aiming to produce more magic similar to his wonderful strike last night.
‘We had some very good players missing tonight but we got the result,’ he added. ‘It would be good to have them back for the second leg.’