Weighty comparison for Ntcham

667

Roy Keane played 13 games for Celtic and the first two of those were memorably for a disastrous performance and result away to Clyde, then what looked like an out of shape performance by the former Ireland international at home to Kilmarnock.

The remaining 11 games of his Celtic career were a lesson on what a great central midfield player looks like.  This was an era when we had recently seen Champions League winner, Paul Lambert, and Neil Lennon, play central mid, both masters of their craft, but Keane fulfilled the role better than anyone I had seen in a Celtic shirt, even as a 34-year-old.

There’s a video of his solitary performance away to Rangers (@FocusOnCeltic), where he asserts himself effortlessly, a lesson on how it should be done.  I watched a similar video of Olivier Ntcham against Newco on Sunday (@CelticBible).

The obvious point should be made.  The Rangers team of 2006 that Keane faced had players like Barry Ferguson and Dado Prso, and had a proper manager, whereas the team Olivier Ntcham faced are not of the same calibre, nor were they at home, but you and me have watched rubbish Oldco/Newco teams over the years without seeing such a complete performance from a Celtic central mid as Olivier’s.

Last month I suggested we drop Olivier and pull Callum McGregor deep, as the former’s passing and effectiveness was off the pace during the qualifiers.  He was one of several subject to bids and contract talks over the summer.  A clear head seems to have elevated the 22-year-old’s game to a new level.

The King is in town, get along to see Henrik and pals do their stuff at Celtic Park tomorrow.

Click Here for Comments >
Share.

About Author

667 Comments
  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. ...
  4. 5
  5. 6
  6. 7
  7. 8
  8. 9
  9. 10
  10. 11
  11. ...
  12. 18

  1. celticrollercoaster on

    Great wee night with my Dad, Letterkennybhoy at the Petrov night. Hope they raise a fortune

     

     

    Good to meet up with BRTH, Malor Bhoy and St Martin’s Bhoy amongst others

     

     

    Oh and Big Dolph. Mrs CRCs favourite, but she wasn’t there :-)

     

     

    HH

     

     

    CRC

  2. Mahe,

     

     

    The more Celtic Blogs the better.

     

     

    Keep on Blogging.

     

     

    And keep on doing the Friday quiz on CQN.

     

     

    Respect dude.

  3. Mahe the Madman on 7th September 2018 11:34 pm

     

    HH Mahe!!

     

    Doing battle with a rack of lamb on the barbie and dodging some heavy rain here in SE Texas, so answers were a wee bit fragmented.

     

    HH

     

    TC45

  4. FAIRHILL BHOY , hope you had a majic holiday. Also more important hope your sister is good ! GFTB, ??? seriously hope you are ok A Know at least we are Celtic supporters , but we show it in different ways ?

  5. Make no mistake that ABC will be in full effect now.

     

     

    Does anyone CARE what is going on in Scotland?

     

     

    Satan is the master Manipulator.

     

     

    I don’t believe so many people that say they don’t Believe, I just don’t, I think they are just scared to say that they Believe in case they are ridiculed in this current Hostile environment created by?

  6. GM I never said the board wanted a crush but I do accuse them of treating the Celtic support comtempuiosly and frankly not caring.

     

     

    But you carry on making stuff up.

  7. I had never heard of Youssouf Mulumbu before last Season. In my defence I don’t watch much fitba noo.

     

     

    His age is Good for this Celtic team, his confidence is really good.

     

     

    Theres Something about Mulumbu.

     

     

    I reckon he is gonnae be a right Good wan.

     

     

    Brendan Loves working with Africans as they have the Hunger to be as good as they possibly can be. Joe getting to Celtic @ this age won’t be him slacking off with a much bigger wage packet.

     

     

    celtic CELTIC

  8. THE BLOGGER FORMERLY KNOWN AS GM on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2018 10:39 PM

     

    I understand willingness to play international football. It must enhance a players valus and bargaining power.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    I’m not sure that holds for Scotland.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    If I were Karen Tieney, with the world at

     

     

    Nae wunnar the wumman goat tae the World cup finals….

  9. moravcik on 7th September 2018 10:35 pm

     

     

    BATEEN BHOY

     

    Can’t think of an EBT tax cheat who has moved to Oz ?

     

    Any names ?

     

     

    ——————————————————————————————————–

     

     

    Gavin Rae?

     

     

    ————————————————————————————————————-

     

     

    Hi Bhoys

     

     

    Just to say I was at the Pavillion tonight had a great time and a good singalong. Wee Bertie showed up wi the big cup at halftime if any of you hardmen out there are going along don’t forget your hanky.???

     

     

     

    KEEP THE FAITH

  10. NegAnon2,

     

     

    It was brilliant to shut them up last week Neg.

     

     

    They are getting stronger.

     

     

    I hope Celtic pull the trigger.

     

     

    I keep seeing Sandy Lane, David Icke, Jetskis and being Shutdown

     

     

    Pisses me off.

  11. BIG PACKY 1 on 7TH SEPTEMBER 2018 8:30 PM

     

     

    TONTINE TIM. could frank mclintock have done a job for us.hh.

     

     

    *just back in BP out doing volunteer work for the KoC and I don’t mean kentucky fried chicken lol. Yes big Frank would have but he widnae have been able tae shift big Billy.

  12. !!Bada Bing!! on 8th September 2018 12:44 am

     

     

    Beats me why anyone on here can support Scotland…

     

     

    …………………….

     

     

    Because our Lads are playing.

     

     

    It is a massive Honour to be an International Footballer.

     

     

    The SFA must be removed so Scotland can progress.

     

     

    Neil was forced out of playing for NI.

     

     

    Big Boyata knows Brendan wants the best for him now.

     

     

    We have a truly unique and Incredible Manager, IMO.

  13. PETEC on 8TH SEPTEMBER 2018 12:51 AM

     

    !!Bada Bing!! on 8th September 2018 12:44 am

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Beats me why anyone on here can support Scotland…

     

     

     

     

     

     

    …………………….

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Because our Lads are playing.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    It is a massive Honour to be an International Footballer.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    The SFA must be removed so Scotland can progress.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Neil was forced out of playing for NI

     

     

    And why was that?

  14. Bada,

     

     

    We know why. Bigots are also running the SFA – If you are a Fitba player though you wanna get as recognised as possible.

     

     

    Neil was hounded out of playing.

     

     

    Shameful.

  15. P- exactly, Boyata hounded, and Ryan Jack cheered on to the park, tells you everything you need to know, and it was always the case. A ‘manager’ who has lost 4 out of 5……Strachan got the treatment from Day1 ……because?

  16. Mahe the Madman on

    The Celt 45, last weekend we talked liver , this weekend its lamb . Moving up in the world !

     

    Enjoy the food and send the rain here though its not too bad and I believe most fires are under control .

     

    Have a good weekend partner,

     

    Hail Hail

     

     

    Thanks Petec . Hail Hail

  17. BADA BELIEVE CELTIC Will Do Something.

     

     

    Auldheid is Wise.

     

     

    Canamalar is the Tiger, FFM spoke so highly of Mr C, A long time Back.

     

     

    I respect FFM more than anyone will ever know.

  18. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Thanks Pete, that was a reminder. You should have checked the full link, not just a song.

     

     

    AM an aifisust, so don’t ply yer god schtuff in ma darechtun, dood.

     

     

     

    HHHaa……………………..:_)

     

     

     

    Hope all is good in your world with you and that young feller of yours. HH bruv

  19. A Ceiler Gonof Rust on

    Canamalar, I’d bought and my Celtic shares and was happy with that, then you came along with your resolution stuff.

     

     

    FFS, your pish got me into buying Celtic shares a second time. I swore I would never do that.

     

     

    You have made me a tidy sum at today’s price. As much as res 12 was a pipe dream, you have made me a fair bit of cash. Cheers bro.

     

     

    I’m keeping three shares.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. ...
  4. 5
  5. 6
  6. 7
  7. 8
  8. 9
  9. 10
  10. 11
  11. ...
  12. 18