‘FORGET ME – IT IS ALL ABOUT CELTIC,’ INSISTS NTCHAM

The £4.5million French midfielder, who arrived from Manchester City last month, is eager to get involved in the Champions League play-off crunch ties against Kazakhstan’s Astana.

Ntcham, the Hoops’ matchwinner against Partick Thistle on Friday night, said: “It’s very important to play in the Champions League, but if I don’t play it’s not bad.

“The most important thing is the team. I hope to play. I watched the Manchester City and Celtic games last season. They were two good games and I hope we are going to do well.

“Do Celtic belong in the Champions League?

Yes, they do. If Celtic don’t go into the Champions League, it will be a strange feeling.”

Boss Rodgers opted for Ntcham ahead of Stuart Armstrong, caught up in a contract wrangle, for the game against the Jags at Firhill and the Paris-born ace responded by hitting the only goal of the game.

His thundering effort from the edge of the box took a nick off skipper Scott Brown on its way into the net, but the new Bhoy said: “It was definitely my goal.

“Scott didn’t try to claim it, he just touched the ball, but the ball was going in.

“I’m very happy, it’s a good feeling because it’s my first goal and I hope this is the first of many. Is that possible? Yes, because it is always my target to score goals and make assists.”

He added: “When I came here, for the first three, four or five games, I was a little bit tired, but I’m getting better and better game after game.

“My role as a midfielder the first thing is to not lose the ball and I have to show skill sometimes. This is my game.

“It’s like English football because you have to fight for every ball. It’s good football.”

Episode 8 of ‘A Celtic State of Mind’ finds Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham discussing a variety of topical subjects concerning Celtic Football Club, including:

* The quest for 7-in-a-row begins;
* Jozo Šimunović: Made of Stone;
* The Champions League – Astana preview;
* James Forrest: The enigma;
* Nir Bitton – Case for the defence.

This week’s big interview is with legendary Scottish football broadcaster, Archie Macpherson, who speaks about Jock Stein, Neilly Mochan, Charlie Tully and John McPhail, as we approach the 60th anniversary of the 7-1 game.

50,000 Celtic fans can’t be wrong…

Connect with A Celtic State of Mind @PaulDykes and @CQNMagazine and listen to the new podcast at the following link: