Here’s Neil Lennon at today’s Mainstream Media Conference – the fans media was once again completely excluded – explaining that basically ever since he’s returned to the club since taking over from Brendan Rodgers, French midfielder Oliver Ntcham has been agitating for a move.
Keeping a player with that attitude in the dress room is a risk and this season the Wantaways with Ntcham a ringleader since Moussa Dembele left the club – has caused considerable disruption and helped destroy Celtic’s chances of winning Ten-in-a-Row.
With Jeremie Frimpong leaving last week two Wantaways will have successfully been offloaded – assuming the deal with Marseille is finalised for Ntcham. Just a pity more couldn’t have been shifted, fingers crossed Burnley pitch up with a late bid for the Scotland superstar.
“There is interest in him and both clubs are taking at the moment. I’ve spoke to Olivier over the two years I’ve been here. I think he’s looking for a fresh start, to progress his career elsewhere and he’s made that clear over a long period of time,” Lennon said.
“I wouldn’t be overly surprised, I think that’s fair to say,” he added. He also confirmed that he’s not planning on going aware himself so will continue to manager Celtic until the Board act.
That January review turned out to be a broken promise. Here’s Lennon speaking today via Sky Sports.
⬅️Ntcham wants to leave Celtic
Neil Lennon says midfielder Olivier Ntcham wants to move on Deadline Day with a deal close to being agreed with Marseille.
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 1, 2021
So we are told TODAY that for TWO YEARS this player has been” agitating for a move ” and causing unrest in the dressing room among other ”wantaways” .
What an indictment of a coach who would allow this to prevail for two seasons ! Out of his own mouth , too , so what does that say about Neil Lennon’s lack of self awareness .