Brendan Rodgers has labelled new signing Olivier Ntcham as key to their qualification for the Champions League.

The France U21 midfielder signed for the Hoops from Manchester City on Wednesday.

And Rodgers believes the 21-year old's - who spent the last two seasons on loan with Genoa - physical prowess will benefit his side in European competition.

Rodgers told Celtic's official website: "I felt that, especially for the higher level, the speed and the power of the game involved is now very apparent, having worked there and having worked with players at that level.

"To make progress over the next couple of seasons, particularly at the European level, it is important for us to have those physical attributes in there.

"Olivier is a player I have been looking at for near on eight months now, so I was aware of him in the second half of last season and before that."