Celtic star’s shocking decision to change international team

Celtic midfielder, Olivier Ntcham, has decided to change international allegiance in a shocking decision despite having represented the French national team on 56 occasions at various youth levels.

France have one of the strongest international sides in the world right now as is evident from their World Cup victory in Russia last year. But the abundance of quality in the current team means that a number of French talents are missing out on playing football at the international stage. One such player is Celtic star, Olivier Ntcham.

The French midfielder has represented Les Bleus on 56 occasions at various youth levels but that has not resulted in a senior international appearance. And it looks like Ntcham has had enough, who is now 23 years old and seeing the door on an international career quickly closing down.

Born to Cameroonian parents, the Celtic attacking midfielder has decided to switch international allegiance from France to Cameroon, for which he is eligible due to the fact that he is yet to make a senior appearance for the senior French national side. Cameroon are scheduled to play Cape Verde and Rwanda later this month and Ntcham is expected to turn up for The Indomitable Lions then.

Speaking with The Scottish Sun, the Frenchman said:

"“Cameroon have been in contact with me but, to make a good decision, you have to take your time. They are happy for me to do that.“Even if they weren’t, it’s me who is going to decide what happens. They haven’t given me a time for when they want me to decide. In life you have to take your time when you make a decision like this. Is it a decision from the heart or the head? Both.“My parents are both from Cameroon but they haven’t said anything to me about it. It is my decision. My friends and family all have an opinion on the situation but I don’t want to say what it is.”"

The 23-year-old is yet to nail down a spot in the Celtic team either despite having made impressive contributions whenever given the chance to play by Neil Lennon. The usual duo of Callum McGregor and Scott Brown have dominated the minutes yet again this season and kept him out of the side till now.

But at 34-years-old, there is not a huge amount left in the tank for longtime Celtic captain, Scott Brown. As a result, it might be only a matter of time before Ntcham sees himself playing a much bigger role in the team. Patience is not a virtue that he has shown to possess a lot of in the past though, whether it is his recent decision to change international sides or his rash announcement of wanting to leave Parkhead last summer.