OLIVIER NTCHAM could make his Celtic debut in the Champions League qualifiers against Linfield after the club left space for him in their European squad.
The France Under-21 midfielder is expected to be unveiled as the Parkhead club’s third signing of the summer before the squad leave for Belfast on Thursday
And the Manchester City youngster can now go straight into the squad without anyone having to drop out. Brendan Rodgers yesterday named 22 players from a possible 23 including new signings Jonny Hayes and Kundai Benyu.
Ntcham’s deal who could cost up to £5millon with add-ons and the 21-year-old, who has been compared to among others Paul Pogba and Yaya Toure, has agreed a long term deal with the Scottish treble winners.
But Gary Mackay-Steven, also named in the squad but has almost certainly played his last game for the club.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes wants the winger to join him at Pittodrie and while another Celt, Ryan Christie, is already there on loan, former Dundee United man Mackay-Steven could be allowed to go on a permanent deal having fallen right out of the picture.
Rodgers does now want a squad to be bigger than 23 and with one more attacker expected to be signed during this window, and with the arrival of Ntcham, fringe players will be moved on.
The signing of Ntcham promises to be an exciting one for the Celtic supporters.
He has spent the past two seasons on loan from City to Serie A outfit Genoa where he made such an impact that they wanted him to sign for them on a permanent deal.
Genoa president Enrico Preziosi said“I’ve been in the world of football 26 years and I’ve never seen a similar player at his age. He has unlimited potential, and is really a fantastic talent.
Yesterday, Ntcham, who has been in Glasgow since Saturday, seemed to confirm himself to be a Celtic player when on his Instagram account, under a picture of a green traffic light, ""Once you see the green light... then you can go. In the starting block."
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