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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GERRYFAETHEBRIG. hope to meet you soon in yogis bar.h.h.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qheuE1Oj_00H7ebaYygoivKIcohXFa4RpVy96pdXr1lsZGYBEYeaW8cENT4oBn_D9N9dpfXMBLeNSsXwNHE=w1418-h2064-no
Golf ????
I bet Patrick Kizzine (sic) at 7/2 joint favourite with the more famous Rickie Fowler they have both finished but the odds are fluctuating, not hit a clue as my guy is -15 and Fowler is -14…. the biggest worry is Scott Brown is now in -13…. is there no end to the Celtic captains talents :-)
ROBERTTRESSELL
Indeed, the former Falls Road GAA man who was smart enough to create a life after football for himself in Spain on the back of that one goal.
A few months ago I was at a N.I. Supporters bash in London. My mate, a North Belfast Apprentice Boy, who has a Palestinian top (there’s a Venn Diagram and a half), got me a ticket to see Norman Whiteside. The former skin-headed son of the Shankill spoke very well, not least about Paul McGrath, and he refused to be pulled in to that narrow world view that defines a lot of the Norn Ireland supporters, despite a part of the crowd that so, so wanted him to.
Unlike Armstrong, he was nothing more than himself, a decent guy who was more true to the values of a working class background than Armstrong ever was.
I’ve been to a few of their bashes and love seeing the reaction when I’m introduced by my Fenian name. It gets even more pleasurable when they spy the Celtic badge pinned to my jacket pocket.
Such larks
dunlop gawf baws
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/njKQksBAtzfrRqpCiyKqLAUOisewaWln6H4j_RrTmKZuEl1BHEirwmwt4PB1A3juMRQHfMkVJ678cMwaBA4=w1280-h804-no
Big Packy 7.27pm
The Woodside (yogis) and laterly Peter Hearherstons ( Falkirk & Aberdeen) pub is one of the few boozers I have very rarely ventured into… if ever back in ML5 could meet in St Andrews (formerly Saloon bar), Heritage (firnely Brig Inn) Fountain bar, Columba club, Argyll, Banks Club, Georgian hotel or the Bammy all very friendly Tim shops :-)
GERRYFAETHEBRIG. is jim brogans bar still there.if not ill meet you in the wee shop in glenboig lol.
Big Packy
I knew if the big shop & wee shop but didn’t venture over into the countryside :-)
Young nephew has just built his own house (mansion) in Chryston… a popular eating / drinking place is Chapmans on the road from Drumpelier Lochs to Mount Ellen
https://twitter.com/cfkc97
KARMA
GERRYFAETHEBRIG. know them well used to swim in drumpelier loch in the summer.
BIG PACKY:
Jim Brogan’s long since gone late 80s, it made way for Memory Lane, which then became The Vulcan. Never mind those mentioned by GFTB, get yourself over to Whifflet, The Big Tree!
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Big Packy 7.57pm
I used to borrow gold balls and re distribute them for hard cash at the golf course next to the Lochs, stuff that swimming lark, it’s no use when you can’t swim plus the amount of people I know that peed into that loch :-) not sure last time you were in the area but Drumpelier Loch has changed so much, it’s now a visitor attraction (to me it’s still just the lochs :-)
So so sad to hear of Liam Millers illness.
Ynwa
Lennybhoy 8.01pm
I didn’t realise Jim Brogans was memory lane my brother Sean who Fred Colon knows well was in to buy that pub next to Sandros when it didn’t have windows :-)
I didn’t want to mention the Whifflet pubs to Big Packy a bit out of town for me :-)
Well that’s Mrs H and myself back home about an hour ago from the Hoot, that’s dedication for you.
Enjoyed the few beers I had, meeting up with a few previously met CQN’ers and seeing some new ones for the first time. Craic was good.
Would loved to have stayed longer, but had to go meet my two lovely daughters at 6.30pm. I hadn’t seen them for about five months (longest They have been away from me.) Anyway family comes first, so thought I better bail out around 4.30pm.
Left it to my girls to book somewhere to go for a meal, so ended up at Bar Soba. It’s a cocktail bar, whith Pan Asian food. It was interesting, good grub, and I love Asian food. So in that sense enjoyable. Howevah, I am getting too old for some of these new bars and eateries. I have been to Discos that had less coloured lighting and quieter music. What’s a disco Pappy? Lol.
Anyway hope you Bhoys that we’re able to carry on had a great time. Can’t really see it going any different. With so many smart, handsome Tim’s in the one place.
Until next time.
Hail Hail.
FAVOURITE UNCLE on 12th November 2017 5:55 pm
Am so tempted to say FU…..but I won’t lol…..enjoi yer day in the posh end…..you’ll be the only one singing ;-))
H.H.
Lennybhoy- has my old pal JK still got The Big Tree?
Corkie,
Am I right or am I nuts.
…………………………………..
Aye ;-))
H.H.
!!BADA BING!! on 12TH NOVEMBER 2017 8:14 PM
Yip he certainly does.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
HUNDERBIRDSAREGONE
Grand seeing you again,mate. Can’t blame you for bailing in favour of better company,though!
Btw,if you think “trendy” bars are bad,you should try going to a clothes shop wi a teenager. Wasn’t sure whether to ask if the girl hanging purposefully around “had these in black” or fancied a drink!!!
Lennybhoy
Was out with PV at a christening the other Sunday he is in the Big Tree after work every Friday, keeps asking me to go nip in, but would need to pass by many better drinking establishments to get there :-)
BROGAN ROGAN TREVINO AND HOGAN on 12TH NOVEMBER 2017 10:03 AM
One Malloy — Hugh sorry I forgot to introduce you when Ruth came in to spirit me away — I was sure I had done that but maybe not — and it always good to have your company.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Nice to meet your good lady Jim, your company is always welcome.
HH
GERRYFAETHEBRIG Big Packy
The Wee Shop and Chapmans don’t exist anymore, both demolished.
LENNYBHOY. both my brothers went to st marys whiflet is it still there.
Lennybhoy- ta, need to catch up with him soon
Corkcelt
Yer hearing has gone. Thomas Delaney (my Sligo grandad’s name) plays for Denmark, Dzemaili plays for Swiss. :)
Think that was name you heard T. :)
FIN 15. my god they were my old mans favourite haunts. the big shop even had a celtic end and a rangers end thanks for the info.
OneMalloy
Thanks for good wishes.
In my bed feeling sorry for myself. Heavy chest infection and now sickness bug is bad combo. Glad you all had great day yesterday.
Fin 15 8.28pm
I never drank in Glenboag (sneaked out a few times after the odd party) not sure if it’s a different Chapmans but I thought the one between the Lochs and Mount Ellen was still going strong, didn’t matter a joy to me I stick to where I know :-)
DD, gute besserung. You were missed yesterday. Was 50-50 for me making it too, with same symptoms. Glad I made the effort though, good craic as ever. HH
Big Packy 8.33pm
St Mary’s still going strong, was deleting old messages in my phone on Friday and saw the text from Coatbridge Paper Bhoy telling me that you were correct about St Augustine’s and I was incorrect…. Coatbridge Paper Bhoy attended the same St Augustine’s as your good self, brought a smile to me, I can definitely laugh at myself :-)
Hail Hail
DD – You were sorely missed yesterday G, hopefully you will recover quickly, take care my friend.
HH
GERRYFAETHEBRIG. cyber pint to you.
Friesdorfer
Thank you mate. I got ready to leave and the thought of a Guinness or ten put me off. Feeling weak tonight, but chest and stomach feeling better. Good you enjoyed you trip on the roads and miles to Dundee.
See you in 102 soon.
HH
BIG PACKY on 12TH NOVEMBER 2017 8:33 PM
Yip, Whifflet St. Mary’s Primary still going strong. It’s my Parish as well, Whifflet St. Mary’s.
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Philbhoy you are being quoted on the Celtic blog mate:
DELANEYS DUNKY.cyber bottle of whisky on its way medicinal purposes.
DELANEYSDUNKY
Sorry to hear yer unwell,bud. Much missed-especially by OLDTIM67.
Still,more Guinness for the rest of us!