BROWN: CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN
Skipper Brown hails flying Frimpong and top-class Turnbull
SCOTT BROWN saluted superkids Jeremie Frimpong and David Turnbull as Celtic clicked back into top gear. Manager Neil Lennon was delighted at the power-packed performance which he claimed was their best of the season and saw Hibs put to the sword. Celtic shone throughout but none more so than teenager Frimpong and outstanding substitute Turnbull. The Dutch wing- back followed up his stunning Riga performance with another dazzling effort, while the midfielder was classy having replaced the injured Ryan Christie for the second period. Asked how far Frimpong can go in the game, Brown joked: “Really far up that wing and really quick because I can’t catch him! “He’s fantastic, he’s got a great attitude as he’s always willing to learn, “He is in meetings with the gaffer and the backroom staff and he always wants to get better, “His energy and ability is second to none, he is one of the quickest I’ve seen and he has composure on the ball as well.” Brown was equally impressed by Turnbull. He said: “He’s calm, he’s composed on the ball and he sees a forward pass too. “He’s also got great awareness, so for us it’s great to have another Scottish boy in the team. “He knows what it’s all about also, winning games for Celtic and how big a club this is.” Brown also heaped praise on Albian Ajeti who was injured while scoring the second goal.
His absence will be a blow but Leigh Griffiths was back on the bench to help offset the pain.
The skipper said: “Albian has done really well, he’s strong, he’s physical, he holds the ball up really well and he’s scoring goals.
“It’s just frustrating he’s got injured, especially when he’s just been getting into the groove. We’re fortunate we’ve got great players in attack.
“We’ve got Griff ready to come back too and the squad’s in a good place just now.
“I’m sure Ajeti will want to come back as quickly as possible.
“It’s about being in the right spot at the right time and he’s got that. He has that awareness and we’ve seen it in training.
“It’s hard for new people to come in here and hit the ground running but he really has. He’s scoring goals and his link-up play was also exceptional.
“Griffiths has been working hard and he knows what’s expected of him.
“Everyone knows what he can do on the pitch. His left foot’s a wand and he’s one of the best finishers I’ve ever played with. So we just need to make sure he’s match fit and get him up to speed as quickly as possible .” Callum
McGregor and Mohamed Elyounoussi were also on target as Lennon’s men did the damage against Hibs also without the likes of Christopher Jullien and James Forrest.
It did not stop the champions turning in an impressive show and Brown says it was enjoyable given some of the criticism which has fol lowed the winning performances of recent weeks.
He said: “Everything just clicked, it has been coming for the last couple of weeks.
“Everyone’s on us for not scoring enough goals but it’s all about winning games for us and maintaining that. We set a marker here to make sure we try to keep to those levels.
“It’s not going to be nice and easy e v e r y game . Everybody wants to beat us. “That’s what happens when
we’re champions as well. Everyone’s here to try and take our scalp.
“It is a long season and every game is not going to be pretty on the eye. When you go away to Aberdeen and Hibs and places like that, you have to make sure you scrape through.
“These lads have that winning mentality and we need to make sure we keep going.
“It’s a great squad and that’s what the manager wanted. He wanted competition throughout and that’s what we’ve got.
“Every week you’re playing for a place and last season was about 64, 65 games. There are going to be injuries and suspensions and that’s part and parcel of it.
“But it’s about the players who come in. It’s not just about the 11 players out there, it’s also about those working hard to get a chance, those behind the scenes.”
Celtic now face two big games at home and abroad before the next international break and Brown said: “We’ve got Sarajevo and then we’ve got St Johnstone. It’s two hard matches and then some rest and recovery.
“Last year we were fantastic in the Europa League group stage, topping one for the first time and including going to Italy and winning for the first time.
“It’s where we want to be. We want to be in the group stage. We want to be in the Champions League but this season it wasn’t to be. Now it’s about making sure we get into the Europa League and see how far we can go.” CLASS ACT Turnbull shone as sub