Jeremie Frimpong must be given more protection from referees in Celtic matches or injury awaits

By John McGinley

September 28, 2020

Celtic winger Jeremie Frimpong looks almost unstoppable right now – by fair means at least.

The lightning-quick teenager produced another exciting display against Hibernian on Sunday.

However, after being on the receiving end of another brutal tackle, the match did bring to the fore that Frimpong is undoubtedly a target for opposition players.

Josh Doig left a foot in on the Dutch youth international in the first half having been burned for pace consistently prior.

Frimpong even referenced the fact he was frustrating Hibs and on the receiving end of rough treatment with a post-match tweet.

It follows on from a tackle on the youngster from St Mirren star Richard Tait in a recent top-flight clash. He received a yellow, but for many, it should have been a straight red.

Tait would go on to receive a red against Dundee United for another horror tackle just days later.

If referees don’t start setting an example in the Premiership this term, then someone is going to suffer a bad injury and Frimpong is a candidate.

WhoScored’s stats show that rivals have fouled him 12 times this season, the second-most of any right flank player in the opening eight games behind the similarly pacy Martin Boyle.

Celtic star Jeremie Frimpong is tackled / (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Celtic youngster is so quick and elusive that stricken opponents often clatter him, and at speed, that could cause a future problem.

Kieran Tierney was regularly on the end of similar treatment, without much protection from officials, and that eventually led to severe absences from the Celtic starting eleven.

I’m not saying that refs should start handing out red cards liberally, but there at least needs to be acknowledgement opposition teams are targeting Frimpong and take into account that intent when making decisions.

The Scottish Premiership should ideally be a division that celebrates it’s young attacking talents, but if they are being booted into the air consistently, then it only ends one way in the end.