Davie Provan has called out Neil Lennon for his comments regarding Jeremie Frimpong’s Celtic departure.
The Hoops boss stated last week that he felt “let down” at the Dutchman’s decision to depart. Frimpong signed for Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen in an £11.5million deal on Wednesday [Daily Record].
The agreement came totally out of the blue to supporters. However, Lennon revealed during the week that Frimpong made his intentions known around six or seven weeks ago [Sky Sports].
But Provan doesn’t feel Lennon has a leg to stand on when it comes to being let down by the young right-back. Not when, as Provan believes, the Celtic manager would also be off if he received a similar offer.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, Provan said: “Jeremie Frimpong can leave Celtic with a clear conscience. At a time Celts are burning cash, he’s made them a bundle even after Manchester City take their slice.
“With the title race over, he couldn’t knock back the Bundesliga. Not sure why Neil Lennon feels Frimpong is letting him down. If Lenny was offered more money to boss a top-four German club, you wouldn’t see him for dust.”
Provan not wrong; Lennon is forgetting history here
Provan’s right, Lennon would be off in a shot if he had an offer to go to a Bundesliga club. Especially in the current situation Celtic are in regarding the league championship. With nothing to play for this season, if Bayer Leverkusen came in for Neil, wouldn’t he leave?
History suggests he would. Remember, he left Celtic in the summer of 2014 and took the first job that came up in England. When Celtic needed to rebuild their squad, Lennon decided not to bother staying and instead looked for pastures new.
Nothing wrong with that of course. But when a young right-back who has no previous connection to Celtic wants to leave for a better future instead of staying at a club in crisis, you can’t have a pop. Not when he’s moved to a club that is well-renowned for giving young players a chance. If things go well for Frimpong in Germany, his next move will be a colossal one.
You only have to look at the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. Two prime examples of players who were tearing it up in the Bundesliga and got moves to a top-four English side. There’s nothing to suggest, if Frimpong develops his final ball, that he can’t have the same glory.
To be honest, when I initially heard of the Frimpong speculation, I felt a tad frustrated. I wanted a bit more loyalty as a Celtic fan. But the more you think about it, can you seriously blame him? He doesn’t have that same affinity for the club that you or I have. Would we stay with Ajax if we were in crisis, going to lose the league, have a toxic atmosphere at the place, whilst having an offer from a top Bundesliga club on the table?
Lennon has to take stock. Frimpong was spot on to depart, and he won’t be the only one out the door in the near future.
In other news, an SPFL club chief has bigged up last week’s key Celtic hire.
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