Moritz Bauer could struggle to make Celtic impact

Celtic defender Moritz Bauer’s opportunities in the Celtic squad will likely now be shortened after today’s events.

The right-back, before today, could’ve claimed that he was the number two right-back at Parkhead. Now? It feels almost definite that he’s suddenly number three.

That’s because Jeremie Frimpong has burst onto the scene and made a bigger impact than the Austrian. Frimpong scored and assisted today at one of the most difficult venues we’ll go to this season. Celtic ripped Aberdeen apart at Pittodrie, and he played a key part in the rout.

Jeremie Frimpong signed from Manchester City in the summer (Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

It wasn’t just that goal and assist that impressed either. His sheer energy, combination play, and composure in such a massive game for Celtic stood out like a sore thumb. He didn’t look like a youngster feeling his way into first-team action. He looked like an experienced veteran making an impact out there.

And it’s a massive eye-opener too. That now means that Bauer has some job trying to prove to the rest of us that he’s more valuable to have in there than Frimpong.

Bauer will still play, but he no longer claims the spot he once had

Let’s make no mistake – Bauer has his credentials. He’s a former Rubin Kazan Player of the Year back in 2017. He’s also an Austrian international. Playing at grounds such as Old Trafford – he certainly arrived at Parkhead with plenty of experience.

But with the amount of games that he looked likely to play, Frimpong’s emergence is a blow for him.

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Moritz Bauer doesn’t look like getting the games he would’ve liked (Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Hatem Abd Elhamed continues to play Celtic’s biggest games. It was actually a tad surprising he didn’t start at Pittodrie today. When he doesn’t play and gets rested, it looked certain that Bauer would be used frequently. That was certainly the idea when he signed for the club.

But he doesn’t now have that guarantee. Bauer is also only here until the end of the season. Frimpong, meanwhile, is here permanently and also proved to the club that he can make an impact in the here and now. He isn’t just one for the future. That’s now been made abundantly clear.