Swansea new boys Olivier Ntcham has revealed former Rangers director of football told him he wanted to sign him while he was still with Celtic.
The French midfielder was released from his Parkhead contract by mutual consent and was convinced to move to the Championship by Swans’ sporting director Mark Allen.
The 25-year-old has now claimed former Ibrox director of football Allen used to say he wanted to sign him after derby day clashes.
While Ntcham admits he shrugged it off at the time, he is happy to have found a way to play under the man who offered him his breakthrough at the Manchester City academy - away from Glasgow.
He told the Swansea club website : “Mark had a lot to do with the move as he has known me since I was 16 years old.
“He was the one who brought me to Manchester City and I spent five years there.
“We have a really good relationship, I must be honest and say I did not know he was working for Swansea as I had last seen him at Rangers when I was at Celtic.
“I was talking with him and the coach and our conversations about everything were good.
“It’s true Mark used to speak to me after the games against Rangers (and say he would like to sign me again).
“I used to think it was because he was angry as we used to beat them a lot, but it is true he used to say that. Now it is true.”
