Celtic manager Neil Lennon has offered an update on four youngsters on the cusp of first-team action, after the surprise debut of Jeremie Frimpong on Wednesday night.
The Hoops teenager, who was playing in his first ever senior professional match, produced a glorious display to delight the home crowd at Celtic Park against Partick Thistle.
Winning the man of the match award and receiving a standing ovation when being substituted off, as well as helping deliver a 5-0 win, the evening really couldn’t have gone any better for the young right-back.
In his post-match press conference, Lennon was asked about other youngsters on the verge of making the grade in the first-team.
He also confirmed that midfielder Luca Connell is nursing an injury right now.
As quoted by 90 Minute Cynic, Lennon said: “Karamoko [Dembele], but he’s had a foot injury, so he’s been out for a month so he’s just come back to development level.
“The likes of Luca Connell and Lee O’Connor, we’ve got them bubbling under. Although Luca has picked up an injury as well at the minute. And [Jonathan] Afolabi, he’s come in, so it’s just progressive with them.
“Jeremie has come in and hit the ground running straight away and you can see why we started him.”
Who’s closest to being used?
As we witnessed towards the end of last season, Lennon doesn’t have any fear playing winger Dembele if the occasion calls for it. Not only did the teenager impress against Hearts, but he was subsequently named on the bench for the Scottish Cup Final. That signifies he’s seen as an important part of Celtic’s future.
Elsewhere, O’Connor has a great chance of getting first-team football under his belt given recent injuries and knocks sustained by our centre-backs.
It appears that Jack Hendry is still ahead of him in the pecking order based on last night’s selection, but with a body of progression within the Manchester United set-up, he may not be far behind Frimpong.
Connell and Afolabi may find it most difficult to break into the team right now given Lennon’s options in midfield an attack, but the former does have a bit of experience under his belt with Bolton Wanderers, which could see him trusted to play.
It’s an exciting time and hopefully more of these youngsters demonstrate they can be as impactful as Frimpong.
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