SUPER BHOY
Lennon hails Dutch teenager Frimpong as among the best young players he’s worked with after masterclass
NEIL LENNON insisted Jeremie Frimpong is the equal of any teenage talent he has worked with after the Dutchman’s goal helped Celtic reclaim top spot in the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Sent off in the Betfred Cup final and ineligible for the Europa League match in Cluj, the 19-year-old claimed another man-of-the-match award after relentlessly driving at Hibernian.
Odsonne Edouard wrapped up the three points for Lennon’s men with his 15th goal of the season as Celtic ensured Rangers’ stay at the top of the table would be short-lived.
‘I thought we were outstanding,’ said Lennon. ‘We should have won by a lot more. I was pleased with the quality of chances we created. We didn’t take them at the time but we deserved to win. We were a lot more like ourselves.
‘There was a verve and swagger and pace about us and a clean sheet which is always great against a good team. From 15-20 minutes in, we were dominant and deserved the lead at half-time. We could have racked up more. Sometimes, if you
miss easy chances it gives a little bit of oxygen to the opposition but the overall performance I was absolutely delighted with. ‘(Callum) McGregor and the midfield were superb. Frimpong, you can see what a player he is. He’s one of the best kids I’ve ever seen at that age. ‘I’m not going to big him up, that’s not my role. I’m just delighted what he brings to the game, defensively or offensively as well as an end product. He put a couple on a plate which we should have benefited from. ‘He’s an outstanding talent who looks after himself. Watching him makes me tired, he wears people down. ‘With younger players, you want to look after them but you can’t hold talent back. We looked at him in training two or three months ago saying we have to get him in the team. The big question is can he transmit all that on to the playing field? He’s done that incredibly well. ‘He’s playing with some good players, too, but from what he brings to the team he’s been outstanding.’ The 19-year-old has set his sights on starring for Celtic in the last 32 of the Europa League. Signed from Manchester City in September, Frimpong was not named in Celtic’s European squad and missed out as Lennon’s side topped Group E ahead of Cluj, Lazio and Rennes. But the outstanding right-back is a certainty to be included in the group of players available for the knockouts, with Celtic finding out their opponents when the draw is made in Nyon at midday today. Frimpong said: ‘I’m excited to play in Europe — it’s going to be a good experience for me. ‘It’s been all right (watching the team in Europe). I trusted them to go out there and do the job. ‘I have not looked at who we can get in the draw. I was focused on this game, so I’m just happy to win.’ Frimpong insisted yesterday’s goal helped him get over the bittersweet emotions of being sent off during Celtic’s dramatic 1-0 Betfred Cup final win last weekend at Hampden. He added: ‘I was just delighted to score my first home goal at
Celtic Park. It was really good. The team played amazing and we deserved it. ‘The manager said to not worry about it (the red card) and he said I had played well. ‘It’s always good when you get the manager on side. I got over it and I played today.’ Lennon was without Ryan Christie, Mohamed Elyounoussi, Mikey Johnston and Jonny Hayes yesterday. With a trip to Tynecastle to come on Wednesday, the Celtic boss added: ‘Hayes has the shoulder injury, he took a bad one in the cup final and we’re assessing him day by day. Ryan should be fit for Wednesday. ‘Elyounoussi had a reaction to the foot injury. I don’t know how long he’ll be out. We’re hoping he will be fit for Wednesday. But we should, hopefully, have a lot of pace and creativity which we will need.’ As Sportsmail reported on Saturday, Celtic had Andraz Sporar watched last week. The 25-year-old Slovenian international is contracted with his current club Slovan Bratislava until 2023. Confirming he has a recruitment meeting on Wednesday, Lennon said he would be reluctant to let Craig Gordon leave the club in January, saying: ‘He’s a player I’d be loath to let go because he’s a quality goalkeeper.’ As the Mail on Sunday reported yesterday, Scott Sinclair is another considering his future at the club, with Lennon adding: ‘We will have a chat with Sincy.’