NEIL LENNON has held clear-the-air talks with Olivier Ntcham following the Celt’s controversial comments to the French media, as CQN reported earlier this month.
The 22-year-old midfielder was quoted as saying he had been disappointed a move to Porto had broken down last summer and he insisted he would “blossom” if he moved to a higher level.
Ntcham returned on Monday following an extended break on the back of France Under-21 international duty and the player and the manager discussed the situation.
Lennon, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “He was disappointed with the way it came across, that wasn’t his intention.
“We have had a nice chat – a private chat – and it’s not an issue now.
“He is back in the group and training and getting ready for the new season.”
Ntcham is the subject of interest from Marseille after a failed bid from the Portuguese giants last season.
He arrived in a £4.5million switch from Manchester City in June 2017 and had an impressive debut campaign in the hoops.
However, he was hampered by injury and loss of form last season and was left out of Lennon’s starting line-up for the Scottish Cup Final against Hearts on May 25. He came on for Tom Rogic in the second-half of the 2-1 triumph that sealed the phenomenal treble treble.
Ntcham scored the only goal of the game when Steven Gerrard brought his Ibrox side to Parkhead in September and agreed a four-year deal the following month.
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from the Celtic v FK Sarajevo Champions League tie tonight – only in your champion CQN.
