Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has criticised Olivier Ntcham for his comments about wanting to leave the club.

The 23-year-old has expressed a desire to play in a bigger league, which has incurred the ire of manager Neil Lennon who was not happy with the midfielder’s remarks.

Sutton believes Ntcham’s performances for Celtic last season prove he currently doesn’t merit a move away from Parkhead:

“The Frenchman had some cheek saying Scottish football wasn’t a big enough challenge. If anything he found it too tough last season. He’s angling for a move but he’s going the wrong way about it – you don’t talk your way into a big club. You earn it on the pitch.”

“Ntcham will rely on his agent being silver-tongued because anyone watching last year would not have seen a £15m player. He had a decent game against Rangers early on but was shocking against St Mirren after that and never recovered.”

Marseille are said to be the club most interested in the Frenchman but they are unlikely to pay the £15m that Celtic would demand for the player.

It remains to be seen whether Ntcham will be reintegrated into the squad on his return from holiday next week. The midfielder is due back at Lennoxtown on Monday morning to start pre-season training.

His comments have certainly not gone down well with supporters or the manager and he has some work to do in order to mend fences.