Celtic youngster Jeremie Frimpong has claimed that he doesn’t care about any of Rangers’ results as he claimed the focus remains on his own side.
The young Dutchman scored on opening day yesterday to secure a colossal 5-1 win at home to Hamilton. It was the perfect way to start the season for the Hoops, who have already soared to the top of the Premiership after one game.
Over 24 hours before yesterday’s demolition job however, Rangers were on target as they cruised to a 1-0 win at Aberdeen. Much was made of markers being laid down, with Steven Gerrard believing his side answered critics despite a below-par performance (BBC).
However, Frimpong clearly isn’t interested in any tit-for-tat or comparing results. Speaking in comments published by the Daily Record, the youngster said he simply couldn’t care less about Rangers’ fixtures.
“We don’t care about what anyone else does. We just went out to win. I don’t really care if Rangers lose or win, we just focus on ourselves and winning.
“I think there is a confidence in the team. Everyone knows what’s at stake but there’s a confidence to go out and play and win each week. The team is getting better all the time, which means there are more chances. Hopefully, I can keep it going.
“I’m really happy the season has started and I was delighted with the team performance.”
Tunnel vision mentality bodes well for Celtic
It’s a tried and tested system. Celtic players simply don’t care or take too much heart or disappointment in what others do. They know that everyone will struggle to match their consistency if they’re at their A-game for large parts of the season.
Frimpong’s attitude here is first class, particularly for a player who is still only 19 years of age. How easy it would be for a youngster like him to go off on one about the importance of both side’s results. But he’s speaking as though he has an experienced head on those young shoulders.
In truth, some of Celtic’s players more than likely watched Rangers’ win at Aberdeen the day beforehand. However, why should that game leave them worried? The Ibrox side were hardly impressive, and you would fancy Celtic to walk all over them in their first meeting in October unless they improve considerably.
All of this will just be adding to Celtic’s confidence. We’re already three goals ahead of them after the first matchday and look like racking up the goals wherever we go. With trips to Kilmarnock and St Mirren coming up in the Premiership, those fixtures only represent opportunities to fire the goal-difference even higher.
Frimpong’s attitude here really does show just how gripping that mentality is. A year or so ago, you would hardly have been surprised if the right-back came out and was full of excitement about the prospect of keeping tabs on slip-ups from Ibrox. Now? He couldn’t care less.
It’s all about the Celtic for Frimpong, and that will undoubtedly be a mentality shared by all of his team-mates.
In other news, a report has shed light on the three areas Celtic are looking to strengthen in this summer.
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