Frimpong a real breath of fresh air
JEREMIE Frimpong’s story at Celtic over the past year is as much about the miles that weren’t covered as the ones that were.
Last September saw the full-back turn in a man-of-the-match display on his professional debut in a resounding Betfred Cup victory over Partick Thistle. Coming just three weeks after signing from Manchester City, the Dutchman immediately cast off any notion that he was more one for the future by dint of his actions as well as his words. Already, the question on the lips of Celtic fans wasn’t if the teenager had the wherewithal to cut it at the club, but how quickly he would become a regular part of Neil Lennon’s plans. The answer was forthcoming. Deployed again against Ross County three weeks later and a scorer at Aberdeen in his following match, the player’s foot would not be removed from the threshold of the managers door domestically. For reasons beyond his control, though, Europe would prove to be a different matter. Frimpong was signed just after Lennon’s side defeated AIK to secure an adventure in the Europa League, so was excluded from the squad that was submitted to UEFA. Not for him, then, those jousts with Rennes, Cluj and Lazio that saw Celtic accrue 13 points as they topped the group. That fabled night in Rome was viewed from his living room. One year into his Parkhead odyssey, there is now no red tape to prevent Frimpong making the trip to Sarajevo as Lennon’s men eye another crack at the group stage in Thursday’s one-off match. Even if James Forrest were available after injury, starting Frimpong would still be no dilemma for the Celtic manager. The player’s form isn’t so much hot as molten. When Forrest hobbled off after 34 minutes in Riga last week after sustaining an ankle knock, Frimpong’s impact was telling. A blur of activity on the right, he chipped away at the Latvians’ resistance and fittingly set up Mohamed Elyounoussi for the late winner. More than any starting player on the night, Frimpong ensured that the European adventure continued. Against Hibernian on Sunday, he was something close to unplayable. By half-time, Josh Doig, the visiting full-back, had to be withdrawn for his own good like a boxer dragged into his corner after a towel had been cast into the ring. ‘When you are that quick and can be that quick from a standing start it is tough to play against,’ offered Hibs boss Jack Ross. ‘It is a really good quality for him to have. He is a great asset for
Neil. It is another learning experience for Josh.’ Just six months older than Doig, Frimpong has endured the occasional harsh lesson as well. For all Celtic prevailed in last December’s Betfred Cup final against Rangers, his red card for fouling Alfredo Morelos meant his side had to do it the hard way. But such schoolings have been collectors’ items. In his 29 Celtic appearances to date, his attainment levels have been extraordinary. It’s worth recalling how his signing a year ago was classed at the time. Together with Lee O’Connor, Jonathan Afolabi and Luca Connell, imported from Manchester United, Southampton and Bolton, respectively, they were viewed as development projects. There remains every chance each player might yet have their day in green and white but, to date, none other than Frimpong has played a competitive minute for the first team. O’Connor is now on loan at Tranmere and Afolabi has joined Dundee on loan. But it’s clear that the young Dutchman’s talent simply cannot be held back.
There is now more defensive nous to go with the ability to slalom through defences in fast-forward mode, qualities that ensure he is custom-built for his manager’s preferred 3-5-2 system. When Manchester City paid Juventus £34million for Joao Cancelo last year as back-up for £50m Kyle Walker, Frimpong knew that there was nothing to be gained in deluding himself any longer. Once Celtic’s initial £350,000 bid had been accepted, his suitcase was packed, a lift to Glasgow was procured and a fresh chapter in Scotland beckoned. He bears no malice to anyone at the club he had been at since the age of nine for the way it all ended, typically talking of the debt he owes them for developing his game. Given the largesse of Sheikh Mansour, the fact Frimpong’s fee could eventually rise to £1m may scarcely register on their accounts but City’s former player’s burgeoning reputation will not have escaped their notice. One year ago, Celtic fans frantically punched Frimpong’s name into Google looking for a catch. They have yet to find one.