Mark Wilson lavishes praise on Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong

By David Walton

March 24, 2020

Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong has been receiving glowing praise from former Hoops right-back Mark Wilson.

Frimpong has had a stunning debut season in Scotland after signing from Manchester City in the summer. The youngster was expected to be nothing more than a development player this year. However, a meteoric rise towards the end of 2019 occurred, with Frimpong impressing against the likes of Aberdeen, Hibernian, and Rangers respectively.

Overall this season, and at just 19 years of age, Frimpong has managed 22 appearances (Transfermarkt). The recent switch to a 3-5-2 system had halted his game-time before the winter break however. The return of Hatem Elhamed also gives him serious competition for whenever Celtic return.

Frimpong playing in Copenhagen (Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

But speaking in the Scottish Sun, Wilson gave Frimpong the tag of Young Player of the Season as he showered him with fond words.

“He’s been outstanding, he’s the best right-back in the country when he plays. I’ve not seen many people get by him.1

“He’s made the occasional mistake but nothing catastrophic. He’s the modern-day full-back – he’s been a joy to watch.

“He ticks all the boxes and Lenny has always had full-backs who’ve got pace and a real attacking intent and he certainly fits that mould. He’ll be a huge player for Celtic.”

Next year will tell us a lot about Frimpong

In a sense, Frimpong has had a bit of a free ride in terms of competition this year. With Elhamed injured, there hasn’t been anyone else really there to challenge him.

Moritz Bauer was the only real alternative. However, even then, the Austrian hasn’t shown enough quality to break into the Celtic team regularly. With Bauer also only being here on loan, it certainly gives Frimpong an advantage.

Next year, however, will tell us so much about the Dutch youngster. Elhamed returned against St Mirren in our last fixture earlier this month. The big Israeli put in a fine cameo display and won the Hoops a penalty. His presence in the squad will add proper competition to the right-back ranks.

Celtic star Jeremie Frimpong (Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

As for the Young Player of the Year suggestion, you’ll do well to find a more impressive youngster than the right-back this season. Sure, the likes of Lewis Ferguson and Ryan Kent have been regulars for their side, but neither has been as consistently impressive as Frimpong.

Not one Celtic supporter could’ve predicted the impact he was going to make domestically. He’s still, of course, to experience European football regularly after only one appearance against Copenhagen.

But he must be delighted when he reflects back over the 2019/20 campaign. It’s been a sensational season, but whether he’s the best right-back in the country ahead of Elhamed? That’s a different debate entirely.