Celts boss is sure Ntcham has got even more to offer at Parkhead
AS impressive as Olivier Ntcham was against Rosenborg, Brendan Rodgers reckons the Frenchman is still operating short of full power.
Record signing Odsonne Edouard stole the limelight with two sublime finishes in the Champions League second qualifying round first leg at Parkhead, but sandwiched in between was an emphatic strike from his midfield compatriot.
Ntcham’s curling long-ranger just after half-time nudged Celtic in front and set the tone for 45 minutes of dominance that might have yielded an even more handsome lead than the 3-1 scoreline they will take to Norway for Wednesday’s second leg.
Rodgers’ sole substitution of the night saw Ntcham replaced by Tom Rogic with 15 minutes to go and the manager concedes that the 22-year-old is still working on his stamina, a year on from his transfer from Manchester City.
‘Ollie is developing very well,’ said Rodgers. ‘It is just getting the games into his legs, getting experiences. He is a wonderful talent and I think he has shown that in his time here.
‘But he is still not up to speed. He starts to tire after 70, 75 minutes, which is natural.
‘He played 38 games for Genoa in two seasons. You can’t then come into a club like this with expectation and play three games a week.
‘You can’t do it. I was playing him in one game, talking to him, nurturing him along, then it was two games a week — and then to a point where he could have the strength and that quality to play three. He is now showing it in the biggest games.’
Ntcham may never have played a game for City’s first team but he retained plenty of admirers south of the border following his £4.5million move to Scotland.
Reports in France suggest West Ham have made an enquiry but Rodgers is keen to hang on to a player he expects to fully blossom this term.
‘He is a big talent and we wanted that power and technical ability,’ said the Celtic boss. ‘He has great comfort on the ball. Physically, you can see he is an athlete. Mentally, he is a boy who devotes his life to his game.
‘Ollie is a number eight. He is aggressive but has subtlety in his passing. If you look at the balance of our midfield three, we have a controlling, defensive player in Scott Brown, a passing midfield player in Ollie who can make a goal and then we have an attacking midfield player in Callum McGregor or Tom Rogic. So the balance is good.’