Some Celtic fans are very excited about the emergence and development of young right-back Jeremie Frimpong.
Frimpong, 18, has shown signs of breaking into the first-team so far this season. He was starting for the Hoops in their recent 4-0 win over Livingston at home this past weekend (BBC).
The game saw James Forrest grab an impressive brace. Odsonne Edouard scored one goal, while Scott Brown scored one of his own. The win helped Neil Lennon’s men stay at the top of the league, keeping pace with Rangers as the Gers are only behind on goal difference.
Some Celtic fans are raving about Frimpong after a stat emerged about the Dutchman recently. The stat said that without Frimpong, the club has scored 2.61 goals per game but they score 4.33 goals per game when Frimpong plays, as per Celtic Soccer Show on Twitter.
Celtic's average goals per game this season:
?? Without Frimpong: 2.61
?? With Frimpong: 4.33 pic.twitter.com/SgCq8hZCke— Celtic Soccer Show (@CelticSoccrShow) November 23, 2019
He has the chance to own that position with El Hamed out injured for a while (some player himself!)..he’ll own it..wise footballing head on those young shoulders..we are very lucky to watch him develop..we have a gem here! HH
— Costa Blanca Bhoy (@costablancabhoy) November 23, 2019
An absolute steal getting that young man in
— James McQ (@JamesMcQ80) November 23, 2019
better than tierney at that age
— Darragh (@DarraghMcGeown3) November 23, 2019
Frimpong arrived at Parkhead this past summer from Manchester City. His arrival came with Manchester United youngster Lee O’Connor, who is yet to make a single first-team appearance for the Hoops so far this season.
Frimpong though, has got first-team action under Lennon this season. He has played four times in the Scottish Premiership so far, scoring once and racking up a tally of two assists. He has also made two appearances in the League Cup.
Before arriving at the club from City, Frimpong had also played for the Premier League outfit’s Under-23s side in the Premier League 2. He had made three appearances in that time, assisting once. However, Frimpong didn’t make a single first-team appearance for the Citizens during his time there.
While some Hoops fans do hope that he is the real, they feel he has come up against weaker opposition. Another fan feels he needs to stay fit.
He has mainly played against poorer teams to be fair, but still a good sign in those stats.
— Che598 (@twd78) November 23, 2019
Most of the games he missed were European ones .
— Kevin (@Mackdog1888) November 24, 2019
Let’s hope he stays fit
— Jim Poxton (@1691Seamus) November 24, 2019
What do we think?
Playing well and playing four league games for Celtic at the age of 18 isn’t child’s play. As a result, Frimpong, who is valued at £90k (Transfermarkt), deserves immense credit for that. He could well be about to break into the first-team soon, considering his contributions to goal. If he keeps these performances up, it would not be difficult to suggest that he will play more. If he continues to perform, Celtic have a huge chance of possibly selling the player on for a bigger fee in the future, should potential suitors come knocking on the door.