BRENDAN RODGERS insists there is more to come from Olivier Ntcham who has impressed in his three European outings this summer.
The Frenchman, signed from Manchester City for £4.5million just over a year ago, has hit the ground running and displayed exquisite qualities in curling in the crucial second goal in the 3-1 win over Rosenborg in the Champions League qualifier in midweek.
Ntcham, 22, will be a key man as the Hoops prepare for the return leg in Trondheim on Wednesday.
Rodgers said: “Technically he is strong, physically you can see he is an athlete and mentally he is a boy who really devotes his life to his game.
“He does his extra work and he is now understanding how to look after his body to play so many games.
“Olly is still not up to speed. He starts to tire after 70, 75 minutes which is natural. Like I say, he is a big talent and we wanted that when we were looking for that type of player.
“We wanted that power, but also that technical ability and his goal was fantastic.”
The Hoops boss added: “He played 38 games for Genoa in two seasons. You can’t then come in to a club like here with expectation and play three games a week. You can’t do it.
“I was playing him in one game. I was 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 games in a week.
“It is just nurturing and developing and he is showing it now in the biggest games.
“If you look at the balance and our midfield three, we have a controlling, defensive player in Scott Brown, a passing midfield player in Olly who can make a goal and has that power and then we have an attacking midfield player in Callum McGregor or Tom Rogic.
“So, the balance is good.”
