Jeremie Frimpong was shocked by Lennon’s Celtic exit

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Former Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong was shocked by events after he left the club in January.

Foremost, the Bayer Leverkusen star was surprised by the resignation of Neil Lennon. Lennon left his post in February, mere weeks after Frimpong’s own exit from the club [Sky Sports].

The sudden nature of Frimpong’s exit, and the rhetoric from Lennon surrounding it, pointed at a disconnect between the two men. At the time, Lennon said that the right-back had made it clear he wanted to leave, something which Frimpong has since disputed.

Frimpong has said, though, that he’s grateful to the former Celtic boss. It’s a message he’s had the whole time, sending a classy message to the former manager on Twitter earlier this year.

Ahead of his return to Celtic Park with Leverkusen, Frimpong said [Daily Record]:

“When I heard that Neil Lennon had resigned I was shocked.

“He is a man who has given everything for the club. But if he thought it was time for fresh ideas then I think him stepping down says everything about his character and how he will always put the club first.

“I will always be grateful to him. He gave me a big chance and will always be an important man in my career.”

Clearly, Jeremie Frimpong values his time at Celtic

The likeable full-back only enjoyed a brief stay in Glasgow, but it was certainly an exciting one.

Not expected to break into the first-team at all, Frimpong was up against Moritz Bauer, Anthony Ralston and Lee O’Connor for the right-back slot.

However, he burst onto the scene emphatically, winning fans with his humble, excitable nature and his bombastic style of play.

Really, whatever you think of Neil Lennon, you can’t argue the ex-Celtic boss didn’t launch Frimpong’s career. It was Lennon who took a gamble on the flying full-back, to dividends on and off the field.

Now progressing along nicely in Germany, Frimpong still holds respect for the club that made his name.

And, foremost, the manager who made his time here so special.

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