Jeremie Frim-gong /Teen wins Celtic award
Jeremie Frimpong has capped his debut season with Celtic by being voted the team’s Young Player of the Year by the club’s supporters, writes Stephen Halliday.
The 19-year-old Dutch fullback made an impressive first-team breakthrough after being signed from Manchester City last summer, earning Betfred Cup and Premiership winners’ medals.
Now Frimpong has set his sights on helping Celtic qualify for the group stage of the Champions League when the 2020-21 campaign gets underway.
“The Champions League is a new challenge for me and I just can’t wait for it,” said Frimpong.
“We worked so hard to win the league and to get to the group stages would be amazing. I want to play against the best teams in Europe for Celtic.”
● Jeremie Frimpong capped an impressive first season at Celtic yesterday by being named the fans’ Young Player of the Year. It was further vindication, he tells Stephen Halliday, of his decision to leave Manchester City for a move north that he says is furthering his development as both a player and person
Amid the now traditional frenzy of a transfer deadline day, Jeremie Frimpong barely caused a ripple when he signed for Celtic just a couple of hours before the window closed last summer.
But the Dutch full-back initially recruited as a member of the Scottish champions’ development squad proceeded to push his name firmly into the headlines as an emerging talent in Neil Lennon’s nine-in-a-row titlewinning squad.
Frimpong’s impressive first season saw him named as Celtic’s Young Player of the Year yesterday, further vindication of his decision to quit Manchester City and agree a fouryear contract in Glasgow.
The 19-year-old has no regrets at leaving the English Premier League giants to pursue a challenge he feels is furthering his development both as a player and a person.
“It was the best decision of my career so far – 100 per cent,” said Frimpong. “When Celtic first came in for me I just thought, ‘This is an amazing club’.
“I couldn’t wait to get started. It was a chance of first-team football and I wanted to give it everything.
“I knew I was ready for first-team football. I knew it – but I had to go and prove it. “When the manager gave me the chance, it was such a big moment in my career. But when you play for Celtic with the team-mates I have, what can go wrong?
“Was it a brave decision to leave City? Listen, if you want to be a footballer you have to make those decisions.
“As a young player, you sometimes have to move. You can’t always stay with your family.
“Growing up, I knew that one day I would probably have to make that decision and go elsewhere. It was tough leaving my family and all my siblings. Coming to Glasgow by myself was hard. You have to adapt, though, and handle the situation.
“When you get a big chance like Celtic, you have to go and take it and prove yourself. I had to say ‘yes’ to the offer. Who would say ‘no’ to Celtic?
“I’m living by myself now and everything is different away from my family. I try to cook as much as I can. I do the dishes, I wash my own clothes and do all the housework.
“My cooking is just the simple chicken and pasta dishes. I’m not making lasagne… yet! I am used to it now but I do feel I have grown up. I feel like a big man now!
“But yeah, my family and all the people around me do notice a difference. They’ll say to me, ‘Jeremie, are you changing? You are taking on more responsibility’.
“That’s what happens when you live by yourself. You need to do things as your family isn’t there. I can ask people for help but I am by myself in Glasgow so I need to get on with it.
“I knew how big a moment this was in my career and I wanted to take advantage. I knew how good it would be for me. I knew that Celtic was the right club for me at that age.
“When I got that chance in the Celtic first team it was up to me to show the manager what I can do.
“He took a liking to me but I still can’t get complacent. If you do that, you can lose your place. I knew I had to keep working hard and proving myself. At this club, you can’t drop your levels.
“When a manager believes in you it’s amazing. You play with confidence and show no fear. “He lets me go out and play my game. He encourages me and tells me to play to my strengths. I am happy he has taken a liking to me but I know ineed to keep my performance level high.”
Frimpong made 19 first-team appearances for Celtic, scoring twice, and believes he has learned quickly what is required to succeed at first team level.
“I have taken in a lot,” he added. “I was playing under-23s at City and this was just a whole new level. You take advice off the guys but there is a big difference.
“The atmosphere is crazy and when you play against the opponents they all really want it. Your team-mates place demands on you and that just motivates you even more. Losing isn’t an option at Celtic. You need to win every week.
“All my team-mates have helped me make the move to first-team football. Scott Brown as captain has been big for me. He is such a good person and motivates everyone. Before every game he gets us together and says ‘Right guys... this is serious now’. “He talks to me a lot. He will say ‘Jeremie… use your pace, get at their defence’ and it’s great to hear.
“It’s my first season at Celtic and to get Young Player of the Year was amazing. I want to thank all the fans who voted and all my team-mates too.
“They all stood by me and supported me this season. I really appreci-
ate that. It’s a big honour for me and my family.”
Frimpong is eagerly anticipating Celtic’s return to training this week as Scottish football slowly begins to emerge from lockdown.
“I’ve missed the game and I just want to get back to it,” he added.
“When I was at home and we couldn’t play, I felt like I was missing something from my life. It’s going to be a really safe environment for the players at the training ground. The club has put everything in place for the [Covid-19] testing and I can’t wait to get back out there.”
● Jeremie Frimpong, Celtic’s Young Player of the Year, was promoting season ticket renewals available at celticseasonticket.co.uk until the deadline of 30 June.