Broony’s been brill with me, says Frimpong
Jeremie Frimpong last night thanked his Celtic skipper, Scott Brown, for giving him the confidence to succeed in Scottish football.
The 18-year-old Dutchman was sold for just £350,000 by Manchester City but has thrived since, turning in a Man of the Match performance in the 4-0 win over Livingston.
“I enjoyed that a lot,” he said.
“When I get on the pitch, I just try and do what I do best – go out and attack opposition teams and help as much as I can defensively, too.
“When you want to play at the top you can’t be shy.
“You just have to go and play and that is what I am doing.
“When I drive forward I just have a clear mind and block everything out, I just go.
“I have been ready for this all my life so it is good.
“Everyone has been helping me but Scott Brown in particular has been helping me a lot.
“He said, ‘Just do what you do because no one can live with you, just go and show the fans what you can do’.
“I knew Scott was a good player and a good captain, I heard that from everywhere.
“When he plays, he always gives 100% and I knew if I was going to be playing alongside him he would help me a lot.
“And he already has helped, so I am really grateful to him.”
Frimpong conceded he has had to make adjustments along the way.
“Back in the day I was a winger, right up until U-15s level but then a coach said, ‘No, you will have to go play rightback’,” he said.
“Why did he do that? Because I can’t finish!
“It doesn’t matter, though, because I love it at right back so it is good.”
The lack of finishing ability is something he shares with Celtic’s legendary right back Danny McGrain, nicknamed “Jigsaw” because he fell to pieces in the box.
“Danny is another one who spoke to me after I first came here and he helped me too,” he said.
“At the moment I do feel like my career is moving in the right direction. Things are happening for me in a positive way.
“Not just here either because I also got a call for my country’s U-20 squad.
“That made me really happy indeed and hopefully I will get more in the future.”
The teenager will have an enforced rest on Thursday night, though, as he was not included in Celtic’s Europa League squad so can play no part in the tie against Rennes.
“I can’t play but I will be there to support the team,” he said.