OLIVIER NTCHAM was yesterday revealed as the Celtic Goal of the Season winner after his strike in Rome sealed a 2-1 win over Lazio to seal the place of Neil Lennon’s side into the Last 32 of the Europa League. Last summer, it appeared that that Frenchman was on the verge of leaving the club. However, Ntcham and Lennon worked together to reestablish the ex-Genoa in the starting XI with the Scottish Champions.
⤴️⤵️ This strike, on loop 🤩
A message from your #CelticPOTY @MagnersUK Goal of the Season winner, @OlivierNtcham… THE SCENES! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BClVWa9FbH
— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) June 9, 2020
Back in November, Ntcham told The Celtic View, that he was doing extra training alone in order to impress Neil Lennon enough to merit displacing Callum McGregor or Scott Brown in the centre of the park. As it would turn out, Lennon would begin to rotate the midfield in a 3-5-2 with Ntcham, Christie and Rogic all being used in an advanced role.
“The manager and coaching staff trust me to train myself. I don’t always need to ask them. I will check with them sometimes because I am not going to do extra work one day before a game and not be fresh for the match.
“I think the manager has been pleased to see me put in the work. It benefits not only me but the rest of the team because hopefully it makes me a better player.”
“I’ve done extra training by myself since I signed for Celtic. It’s best to train with team-mates, but I enjoy training by myself as well. It gives me the chance to work on technical areas and improve on my weaknesses.
Congratulation @OlivierNtcham 🥇⚽! 👏
I remember that beautiful counter-attack, a good pass from Odsonne, and 💥.
Your wonderful goal against Lazio made #CelticFC💚 history.
We are proud of you! 💛💚
Hail Hail! 🍀🍀 #CelticPOTY pic.twitter.com/bQ8HVqYWA8— Ilir Meta (@ilirmetazyrtar) June 9, 2020
“I work with my coach who comes over from Paris. He works out my sessions and we work on them together after training.”
Ntcham collected a pass from compatriot Odsonne Edouard before a deliberate/dodgy first touch took him wide allowing him to chip the ball over the rushing ‘keeper and send 8000 fans behind the goal wild.
Ntcham, who scored that goal at the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio insists that he uses the training as an opportunity to train on specific aspects of his game as he looks to constantly improve and evolve as a player.
“I look to improve on every part of my game, even the most basic aspects like one-twos because you need to be perfect with those things in the important moments.
“When you’re training alone it’s best to work with the ball and repeat all the simple stuff so that is becomes simple in the games.”
“I’m quite happy with the results I’m seeing from the effort I’m putting in. When you work hard, even if it doesn’t pay off now, it will in the future.”
Ntcham will join his Celtic teammates on Thursday when they return to Lennoxtown ahead of the beginning of the preparations for next season. Ntcham proved that he was a vital player in the 9IAR win with his contribution in the centre of the park.
🗣️ “It was a special moment for Celtic, a special moment for the team and a special moment for everybody, and thank you all the fans who have voted for my goal."
Your #CelticPOTY @MagnersUK Goal of the Season – @OlivierNtcham away to Lazio! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/S15xtiwMDI
— Celtic Football Club (from 🏡) (@CelticFC) June 9, 2020
VOTE NOW FOR THE CELTIC STAR’S PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Loading ...Goal of the season, no surprises there. This will take something very special to beat. You can watch on repeat for ages. The commentary. @chris_sutton73 losing it. Everything. Goosebumps and shivers down spine every time you watch it. pic.twitter.com/JuWMdATaOK
— CelticLisboa (@CelticLisboaa) June 9, 2020
