HISTORY BHOY OLI HANDS OUT PRAISE

GOAL hero Olivier Ntcham revealed the instructions from Neil Lennon before his history-making introduction to the Europa League Group E action against Lazio a week ago.

The French midfielder also praised the 9,000 travelling supporters in the Olympic Stadium as the Hoops won on Italian soil for the first time in 13 attempts.

Ntcham came off the subs’ bench in the 77th minute to replace the tiring Ryan Christie and, of course, wrote himself into Celtic folklore with the lovely dinked finish over the stranded Thomas Strakosha for the the second goal in the fifth minute of stoppage-time.

As the ball bounced into the opposition’s net, the Parkhead men were also cementing their place in the knock-out stages of the competition next year.

ROME SWEET ROME…Olivier Ntcham celebrates in the Italian capital last week.

The 23-year-old powerhouse, who cost £4.5million when he arrived from Manchester City in the summer of 2017, told this week’s Celtic View: “Before I came on, the manager said to me, try to defend a little bit, press when possible and when we get the ball try to go forward and keep the ball.

“It was difficult, but it happened too quickly to explain.

“I was proud of my finishing in the game.

“Winning in Italy, breaking a record – that’s great news for everybody involved in the club.”

Speaking about the thousands who were in attendance, Ntcham added: “They looked so proud of the team. Every Celtic fan can be proud. The way we played, the spirit of the team, it was really nice.

“It’s a great feeling and I’m very happy for my team.

“We managed the game a lot better in the second-half, because I think we started the game a little slower than we’d have liked.”

The visitors conceded a goal in the seventh minute before James Forrest thrashed in the equaliser as the interval beckoned.

The stage was set for Ntcham when he made his second-half entrance – and he didn’t disappoint.