‘Crazy’ fans hold no fear for Celtic’s Olivier Ntcham ahead of Rangers clash

CELTIC midfielder Olivier Ntcham was an unused sub when the Hoops won 2-0 at Ibrox in September but he’s looking forward to being in the thick of it when the champions return there next weekend.

However, the 21-year-old won’t be fazed when he steps into the cauldron in Govan, claiming that his derby experiences in Serie A were far more heated affairs.

“When I was in Italy the derby I was involved in was for Genoa against Sampdoria. It was crazy. The fans used to throw flares and fireworks on the pitch and we would have to stop the game for 10-15 minutes before we could play on.

“There was a lot of smoke but we didn’t go back into the dressing rooms. None of the players were ever hurt; we just waited until we could see again!

“Both clubs shared the stadium and the supporters had half of it each on derby days.

I was a winner with Genoa in my first season but, unfortunately, not in my second.

“The atmosphere and the supporters were even more intense than when I went to Ibrox earlier in the season. The Rangers fans are also crazy but they respect the players and they don’t throw flares.”

Ntcham claims not to have even glanced at any of Rangers’ games on television as Graeme Murty’s side have reduced the gap between the rivals to six points, albeit Celtic have a game in hand.

“I don’t really watch them, I concentrate only on Celtic,” he said. “It’s all about what we do.”

The France Under-21 star also insisted that club captain Scott Brown will be the key man at Ibrox.

“He’s used to playing in derbies and winning them,” he said. “He talks me through all of the games – and I can understand what he says! In the huddle he fires us up and tells us to keep pushing.

“When a Rangers fan came on the pitch to him at Ibrox last year it didn’t bother him; he just stayed focused on the match.

“I thought his reaction to being fouled at Pittodrie last weekend was great – maybe I will do that as well one day!”