When it comes to this Celtic team, many quality players could be considered as the first name down on the team-sheet for Neil Lennon’s side.
Some may think, its Odsonne Edouard or Callum McGregor. Which is understandable with the impact both are capable of having on a game.
For me, the man that should be first down in Lennon’s starting 11 is full-back Jeremie Frimpong. Thursday night was the prime example of why that should be the case.
The Dutch youth international looked like the only one who was going to make something happen in the game against Riga and did exactly that by grabbing the assist for Mohamed Elyounoussi’s late winner.
We have already seen this sort of impact from the 19-year several times in the right-back/wing-back position; it’s unlike anything anyone else on the pitch can offer.
Since his debut just over a year ago, Frimpong has gone from strength to strength. With his sheer pace and ability, he can command the right-side of the field with ease and that is something you rarely see from such a young player.
At times though, Neil Lennon pulls him out of the side, similar to what he did on Thursday night starting James Forrest instead.
James Forrest has been a crucial player for us over the years but in the case of him starting ahead of Frimpong, I feel like Lennon needs to bite the bullet on that one and start the young full-back in the majority of games.
Against Riga, Neil Lennon appeared to hint that Frimpong hadn’t been at his best in recent weeks. Even at that though most Celtic fans would say he had been one of our better performers and didn’t deserve to drop out.
With him being such a young age as well it is frightening to think that the former Manchester City academy player could still yet improve. So far this season, he has three goal contributions in nine games and I fully expect him to add to that with dangerous a player he is going forward.
When running at the opposition, you can see he puts fear into them with his ability to beat a man and come up with the end product to match. When you think of a player like that, it may suggest they are not the best defensively but Frimpong actually defends very well and even uses his pace to get other defenders out of trouble by winning the ball back.
There will be weeks, where the youngster isn’t available through no fault of his own, whether that be injury or suspension but he has shown the Northern Irishman why he deserves to be the first name on that teamsheet every week.
