Lennon’s given me every Frim – so I owe him
Jeremie Frimpong doesn’t just owe Neil Lennon a big per formance at Hampden today.
The young Dutch full-back feels he owes the Celtic gaffer his career so far.
Lennon plucked him from Manchester City when he was at a crossroads back in September 2019.
He was a relative unknown at that point but is now an integral part of Celtic’s team.
Frimpong was a revelation last season as Celtic secured the League Cup and a ninth Premiership title. If they can beat Aberdeen in today’s Scottish Cup semi- f inal, they’ll be well on their way to a quadruple Treble.
Lennon is under pressure after some dodgy results in the league and Frimpong now wants to repay the faith he showed in him – by digging his gaffer out of a hole.
The 19-year-old said: “Lennon has been there for me since the start of my professional career.
“He gave me a chance at Celtic and put his trust in me.
“And having that trust when you’re a young guy is everything really.
“The manager just tells me to go out and play. That helps me too. He has been a huge part of my career so far.
“I do feel as if we owe him. We have to start winning again. We’re just going through a difficult phase right now but we’ll bounce back.”
Just like a week ago at Pittodrie, Frimpong will face his old Hoops team- mate Jonny Hayes.
The Aberdeen winger
Scott McDermott
helped Celtic reach the semis before the season was curtailed due to Covid-19 and he moved back to the Dons.
Frimpong expects a tough test against the Irishman and said: “It’s good to see Jonny again – but on matchday he’s just another opponent.
“We had a good battle last Sunday and I would expect that again.
“It’s a bit strange facing somebody who helped us reach the semi-final but it’s important that we finish off what we started.”
Frimpong has bittersweet memories of the National Stadium after he was sent off in the League Cup Final against Rangers – but still lifted the trophy. He’s determined to get his hands on silverware again, with the final on December 20 if Celtic can see off Aberdeen today. Frimpong is a vital cog should Lennon play a back three or four but prefers to operate as wing-back.
He said: “This time at Hampden, I want to stay on the pitch!
“But I got my hands on the trophy against Rangers so the ending was good – even if that moment was bad.
“Every time I’ve been to that stadium, I’ve won so that has to be good memories.
“In terms of our formation, I do the same thing in either so I don’t mind. But I feel like when we go with a back three, and I’m wing-back, it’s more secure as there is someone to step in if I’m not there.”
Lennon’s been there since start .. he gave m e chance and trusted me