Jeremie Frimpong’s debut couldn’t have gone much better for the Celtic youngster.
The right-back, signed by the club from Manchester City over the summer, made his first Hoops outing in the 5-0 rout of Partick Thistle tonight. It was a solid performance from him, as he showed good aggression and a lack of fear on the Celtic Park surface.
It was a night in which Lenny made eight changes to the team. The likes of Moritz Bauer and Christopher Jullien both dropped out with respective injuries. It led to a couple of chances for Partick, but Frimpong had nothing to be concerned about.
And as he spoke post-match, Lennon spoke highly of the impressive debut.
A surprising debut, but Lennon made the right choice
It was yet another smart call in what’s been a tenure full of them from Lennon. It wasn’t the option many would’ve thought he would go with.
Given the lack of threat Partick were likely to provide, a back three always seemed more likely. Either that or a return to right-back for Hatem Abd Elhamed. But that never happened. Instead, Elhamed partnered Kristoffer Ajer with Frimpong down the right.
It’s not something to expect more of anytime soon. Celtic have some big games coming up, and featuring Frimpong would be a doubt in the majority of them.
His best bet of another Celtic appearance would likely be this December. Celtic have played as many as nine games during that month in the past. Considering we’re fighting on all fronts this season, something similar will be on the cards. It’s during that period that Frimpong could be of real value.
However, with Elhamed and Bauer as competiton, it’s a tough spot to break into at the moment. It was a start for Frimpong as Lennon said, and he can be delighted with himself.
As for Saturday’s clash with Hibernian at Easter Road, you have to expect Celtic to throw Elhamed back in at right-back with Jullien back beside Ajer at centre-back.
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