Olivier Ntcham stole the show with a stunning free-kick goal for France under-21s against Bulgaria last night. Celtic’s midfielder came on as a 75th minute substitute, not long after teammate Moussa Dembele was subbed off.
Olivier has been capped by France at every age group since under-16. It is a mark of the expectations we have for him, and Moussa, that they are exposed to the demands of the Allianz Arena, despite Olivier having less than 50 senior games under his belt, and Moussa having less than 100.
At similar stages of their development, expectations of Kenny Dalglish and Henrik Larsson were considerably less, while contemporaries, Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic took years to reach peak form.
What we have seen from Olivier, and to a lesser extent Moussa, is a glimpse of their potential. Playing for Celtic, with its unique mix of expectations to win every domestic game, indifferent domestic opponents, and regular Champions League football, provides a great opportunity to polish potential into the finished article.
Young players will get first team opportunities in less demanding games, while 18-year-olds like Anthony Ralston will be asked to get stuck in against PSG. I doubt any other club can offer a better environment to develop talent, which explains why we can attract Moussa, Olivier and Odsonne Edouard.
NEW CQN PODCAST OUT NOW!
A Celtic State of Mind presents its 23rd instalment of insightful discussion into the culture of Celtic Football Club, the city of Glasgow, and fans of the reigning invincible Scottish champions.
Paul John Dykes is joined by Bafta-winning documentary director, John MacLaverty, and Scottish comedian, Phil Differ.
John’s Lisbon Lions documentary – Glasgow: 1967 – is an incredible celebration of Celtic’s European Cup win 50 years on.
Phil has been a staple part of Scottish comedy for decades, and has worked on such iconic productions as Scotch & Wry, Naked Video, City Lights, Rab C Nesbitt and Only An Excuse.
The CQN Podcast has gone from strength-to-strength over the last few months, and there are many more guests lined up in the months ahead from the world of sport, music, film, art, broadcasting, literature and politics.
NEW FROM CQN BOOKS! JIM CRAIG – RIGHT BACK TO 67, THE LISBON LION DIARY, ORDER A SIGNED COPY NOW!
ORDER YOUR SIGNED COPY NOW AT CQNBOOKSTORE.COM
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Can’t see Denmark winning this over two legs
Canny go ray as a commentator,great wee fitba player,but no great as an analyst
Half Time. Nil All.
Not a lot of football from either side.
Corky: Denmark are more composed than us but it has all the the hallmarks of 1 – 0 over 180 minutes.
Corkie
Thomas Joseph Delaneys great grandfather emigrated to America after the famine.
Delaneys father or grandfather (not sure which) joined US army and served in Europe settling in Denmark. Young Thomas Joseph Delaney grew up not realising he had an Irish name until he came to Dublin with FC Copenhagen to play Shamrock Rovers and was asked about it by journalists.
Almore, we are sitting back & parking the bus.
Any time we do go at them we trouble them but the problem is we have only done it 3 or 4 times in first half.
Apart from Eriksen they look very limit.
limited.
how can you grow up not knowing the origins of our surname, is the boy daft ?
2nd Half kicks off.
CorkCelt: Agreed. Here’s to a more productive second half.
TIMSRGR8. I started in Prep at Kennedy Street in January 1963. Then three years at Duke Street and then up to Parson Street. In 1b1 at the Kent: three years of Greek.
St Stivs
He thought it was an American name
Corky- yellow cards should be wiped out after group games
Come on Ireland Denmark are no world beaters. Watching this terrible football you realise how we’re spoiled watching the Hoops!
AngelG- ditto, have a few beers enjoy the gamw, great story HH
Agreed Bada, they should be but they are not.
McPhail Bhoy agreed, you couldn’t watch this on a weekly basis..
Almore
Wise words from Dena.
VitC VitC VitC
Had glandular fever in my early twenties when I was fit…….11.5 stone yet I lost 2 stone(no jokes please) within a week and my spine and ribs were protruding through what was left of me(kinda think it might be good to contract it again now! )
Anyway the thing is….. got tonsillitis 5 times in the year afterwards and got antibiotics antibiotics and more antibiotics yet my big sister(healthy person) advised me to get some VitC and after a short spell of having lots of fresh orange etc I didn’t get it again(coincidence?) and have even gradually managed to put TWICE what I lost back on!
ThunderRoad: Great to see you back posting. I make my own potion (whiskey, 7-up, honey, cloves and lemon) and sweat it out under the duvet. Usually works and seems to be this time.
Back to footie
THUNDER ROAD-good to see you back posting,I’ve got the boss ,Billy Joel and Harry chapin on :-))story of a life
Good chance Ireland.
On me bus back to Base but would just like to say it was brilliant to get a beer with the CQN squad.
Cracking bunch and as always a pleasure to spend time with.
Think Ireland have been too cautious,
the Danes are a poor team,
a goal could be vital
Almore
Sounds quite a concoction but do you really need to fill us in with what you get up to afterwards? :)
Fairhill Bhoy,
good to see you still canny post links ;-)))
Does a nil all away confer advantage to Ireland Or Denmark? not sure myself.
Typical MON stuff, very effective
Thunder Road 9.09pm
I know for a fact there will be many posts about today’s gathering, BMCUWP should enjoy the friendships he has created…. bit of a blip for me today too busy rushing out the house to go to work (???) at 7am ditched my normal “work man bag” which had my pocket money and cashline card to fund my beverages, only found out at 11am when Mrs GFTB phones to ask how I was going to buy a round !!!
Glad you had a good day, DONT fall asleep on the bus
Hail Hail
Fairhill Bhoy
Sounds good to me :)
Funnily enough I had the radio on in the van earlier and they played An Innocent Man.
Hadn’t heard it for years and it was great to hear it again.
TR: I asked for that:-)
GORDYBHOY 64-hey you there was a Bhoy on here the other night saying his dad’s fav was perry como,just like my dad:-))
GFTB
Whit are yea like?!!
Had hoped to see you.
Next one then eh?
Asked the driver to keep my stop in mind in case I dosed off but posting is keeping me awake.
Not sure if it’s having an adverse effect on on everyone else though!
10 minutes to go. COYBIG
Almore
Sorry….. never hit the back of the net too often so when the chance comes……!
Hope you feel better soon amigo.
HH
THUNDER ROAD-my two favs from New York sing a brilliant duet,you get home safe and glad you had a good night:-)))
Thunder Road 9.21pm
The only reason you asked after me was to send me to the bar :-)
Was gutted, good lady said “why don’t you go back in” after working in the toon for nearly 30yrs going back in is never an option :-)
Always a plus point MissGFTB has gave me an all day pass for cup final day since I didn’t make it out today, glass always half full
Fairhill Bhoy,
gonna take your word for that,
probably said that just to make you feel better ;-))
Come on bhoys!
Well done Randolph!