DUTCH dynamo Jeremie Frimpong, who played a massive role in making sure Celtic overcame FC Riga in Latvia during the week, is hoping to get the nod to face Hibs at Parkhead tomorrow afternoon.
The pocket rocket came on as a 34th-minute substitute for the limping James Forrest – who will miss the visit of the Easter Road outfit – and delivered the perfect right-wing pass for fellow-substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi to rifle in the last-gasp winner to set up Thursday Europa League play-off against Sarajevo in Bosnia.
Frimpong has happy memories of games against the Edinburgh outfit after making one of his initial first-team appearances against them in last season’s 5-2 Betfred League Cup semi-final that edged him towards his first senior medal.
And the 19-year-old also scored his first Parkhead goal against Hibs in the 2-0 league victory in December after notching his first in the 4-0 thumping of Aberdeen at Pittodrie in October.
Frimpong, who continually shredded the Latvians’ defence with his searing pace, told Celtic TV: “We played really well and created so many chances, and eventually we got one in, so it was a good win.
“If I come on, I want to do my best for the team. I want to create chances for the team and, obviously, I want my team to win, so when I got the call to come on, I was delighted and I wanted to give it my all and that’s what I did.
“Whenever I got the ball, in my head it was all about helping the team. We needed something, we needed to get through, so as soon as I got the ball I just attacked. And, obviously, I did my defensive part, as well.
“I’m a footballer and I want to play every single time, so, like I said, when the manager put me on, I just wanted to prove that I can play.”
Reflecting on the all-important goal from Elyounoussi, Frimpong added: “I just ran and crossed it in, and luckily he was there. But there were so many chances and we deserved the goal, so I was really happy with that.
“Once we got the goal, we defended really well and got everyone back. When we got the ball we tried going into the corners, so it was a great team effort.”
Now all eyes are on three points from a dangerous Hibs side in the Hoops’ bid for 10 titles on the trot.
Bhoy racer Frimpong in eager to play his part in making history at Celtic.
