Celtic Fan View: Ntcham set to be an important player in the second half of the season

In the melting heat of Dubai, Brendan Rodgers made sure his men were put through their paces in preparation for the second half of the campaign. He said the winter break had “absolutely” come at the right time for his side after the disappointingly lacklustre 0-0 draw at home to Rangers. The chance to get away from the rigours of domestic competition and improve on a few aspects of their game was something the boss welcomed.

The fans are anticipating a much-improved second part of the season, as a collective and from particular individuals. A number of the Hoops’ players have been somewhat off the pace in the last couple of months judging by the high standards they set last term. One man who the supporters will be looking to for a significant contribution is Olivier Ntcham.

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After signing from Manchester City for a fee around £4 million, the Hoops faithful expected a lot from this talented midfielder. Perhaps unfairly, they even pinned their hopes on him to deliver in domestic competition and in Europe from the offset. What they’ve found, however, is a player with bags of potential- who’s been inconsistent at times- but of late has steadily showed signs of becoming a key player in a green and white jersey.

As someone who’s a regular for France’s under-21 side and having spent two good seasons at Genoa, it’s easy to see why Celtic fans expect so much more from Ntcham. He has all the tools needed to be a Premier League standard of player. The 21-year-old is extremely well built, technically gifted and often very forward thinking in his use of the ball. Defensively he can be disciplined although not the most combative.

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These are qualities we’ve only seen fleetingly since he arrived in Glasgow. At times he’s taken a game by the scruff of the neck and left a telling influence on it whether it be via a goal, assist or a superb defence-splitting pass. His superb performance at Anderlecht springs to mind, an all round influential display in a crunch match. Yet we’ve also seen him struggle; he’s looked nervous or passive at times and hasn’t provided enough penetration in the middle of the pitch.

In the last month or so, however, there’s been an evident change in Ntcham. He now resembles a player who’s grown in stature and is ready to hold down a regular place in the XI. His impact on games has been felt more in recent weeks; he’s provided thrust from midfield which is reflected by the two goals he’s scored in his last five league appearances. A measure of his good form is that the fans wanted him to start ahead of last season’s Player of the Year nominee Stuart Armstrong against Rangers.

With Armstrong nowhere near the form he showed last term, however, the opportunity is there for Ntcham to become Scott Brown’s regular midfield partner. As the Bhoys fight to keep hold of their domestic treble and push on in the Europa League, an improved Ntcham gives them a huge boost. The platform is there to truly stand out and it’s a chance that most fans expect the Frenchman to take advantage of.