Celtic manager Neil Lennon has told the story behind signing exciting right-back prospect Jeremie Frimpong during the summer transfer window, speaking to Celtic TV.
Frimpong has made quite the impact on the Celtic first-team despite making just two appearances.
Shining on Scottish League Cup duty against Partick Thistle, he was then given a massive opportunity against Ross County at the weekend.
He produced another exciting 90 minutes, impressing in the second half particularly.
It was his classy run and cross which provided an assist for James Forrest to smash home.
Lennon has now divulged how the deal to sign him came about, first spotting in him in action for the Manchester City development side.
As quoted by Celtic TV, he explained: “Man City brought a development team up to play our development team and Jeremie was playing in the game. I was very, very impressed with what I saw.
“I spoke to Damien [Duff], who watched bits of the game, and John [Kennedy] had looked at the analysis and was very impressed.
“We threw it to Nick [Hammond] who had heard good things. Suddenly there was an opportunity to do the deal.”
Also going on to praise Peter Lawwell for his efforts on the business side of things, Lennon talked enthusiastically about the player’s presence on and off the pitch, claiming he was impossible to leave out against Ross County.
Can he keep his place in the Celtic team?
Frimpong is not registered for the Europa League so definitely won’t feature against Lazio on Thursday night. With a tricky league fixture at Pittodrie this Sunday too, he might have to remain patient for another opportunity.
With Moritz Bauer and Hatem Abd Elhamed also available, the manager now has a number of quality options to choose from, all of whom play with a different style.
Throwing the 18-year-old into a high pressure match against Aberdeen might not be the best thing for his development at this stage. Lennon though seems smitten with his ability, so don’t rule it out.
Long-term though he certainly appears to be a player that can hold down the position and make it his own. On the evidence so far he is more than good enough to play at domestic level.
I can’t wait to see him in action again.
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