Frimpong lights up Celtic Park and reveals tips from Walker and Cancelo put him on road to first-team glory in Paradise
BY GORDON PARKS Walker and £60million summer signing Joao Cancelo.
It was one frustration too many for the flying full-back and he admits the opportunity to join Celtic has fast-tracked his ambitions despite having nothing but good things to say about his former City team-mates.
Frimpong said: “Everyone at City helped me. In terms of right-backs, I would speak to Kyle Walker and then when Cancelo came I would speak to him. They would give me some tips and stuff.
“I had been there since I was young. You want to try to get into the team but they obviously have Kyle and have just bought a new right-back.
“I thought I was ready for first team so Celtic came and I took the chance because I thought I would have a better chance at Celtic than Manchester City.”
Frimpong helped Celtic make it 29 consecutive cup ties without defeat to book a Betfred Cup semifinal spot and the youngster insists he didn’t expect anything other than business as usual.
He said: “I knew Celtic were the best team in Scotland so I thought, ‘Yes, I’m going to the best team. When we play teams Celtic always win, so I’ll be on the winning team.’
“It’s amazing. There’s no real difference, it’s like Manchester, it’s just the weather! I went to the city centre and it’s amazing, I’m happy to be in Glasgow.”
On Wednesday night’s evidence, Frimpong’s belief in his ability to force his way into Lennon’s side as the regular right-back isn’t boast and bluster. He continually bombed down the flank to provide service into the box. There were also examples of his explosive pace and comfort on the ball which the Hoops boss admits has accelerated him into the reckoning for a starting spot.
There was also no hint of opening-night nerves from a teenager who strikes a fine balance between confidence and cockiness.
He said: “You have to play with confidence if you want to be a footballer. If you want to be the best, you have to play with confidence.
“Obviously don’t be cocky but you have to go out there and play your game. You can’t be nervous in front of these fans. They want you to show what you can do for the team and hopefully I can do that.
“I loved the reception I got. Everyone stood up and was cheering, so I really liked that.”
Frimpong’s enthusiasm lit up the press room and he finished by describing his feelings when he realised he had been named man of the match while sitting in the home dugout.
He said: “When it got announced I thought, ‘What’s going on?’
“I looked up to the screen and it said Jeremie is man of the match. They were all shouting to me ‘Jeremie, Jeremie, Jeremie’, and then they all went ‘wheeeyyyy!’
“I was like, ‘Oh my gosh’, and I can’t even stop smiling now.”