The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Ntcham will rise to occasion of facing Europe’s aristocrats
The importance of tonight’s Champions League opener has not been lost on Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham.
The midfielder is set to make his debut in the competition for the Hoops and the size of the task does not come much greater than trying to stop the array of attacking talent in the Paris St Germain ranks.
Ntcham, a summer signing from Manchester City, insists he has not played in a bigger occasion than he will tonight.
He said: “This is the biggest game of my career. I am very excited to play against PSG.
“It doesn’t matter how much money a player costs because on the pitch we all have two feet and play the same game.
“The atmosphere at Parkhead is truly unique. It’s absolutely incredible.
“I know the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable.
“I am excited but I always remain calm when I play.
“We have to play our game.”
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is happy but not surprised his captain Scott Brown is not facing a suspension.
There was speculation the Hoops midfielder, who has signed a new two-year deal with the Parkhead club which takes him up until at least 2019, could be in trouble after appearing to flick a boot at the face of Hamilton’s defender Giannis Skondras during the Hoops’ 4-1 Premiership win on Friday night.
The Scottish FA’s compliance officer Tony McGlennan has decided no complaint will be raised.
Ahead of the Champions League opener against Paris St Germain at Parkhead tonight, defender Jozo Simunovic also signed a new contract, with his fouryear deal set to keep him at the club until 2021.
The former Swansea and Liverpool manager was also pleased Brown had no case to answer about the Hamilton game.
He said: “I haven’t made too much of it. I saw the two players cuddling during the game, I didn’t think it was a big issue.
“I saw the player go to ground and Scott maybe clip him in some way or the other, but very quickly I saw them cuddle each other at the edge of the penalty area.
“I don’t think it was a big problem for the players and I think it was unintentional so I am glad that was the decision, if there was a decision to be made.”