‘Had to change everything’: £11m star admits he ‘got away’ with things before Celtic exit

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Jeremie Frimpong has told Kicker he had to adapt ‘everything’ about his game after joining Bayer Leverkusen, as Bundesliga sides will punish what he could get away with at Celtic.

The Bhoys sold Frimpong to Die Werkself in January for £11m, just 18-months after paying Manchester City a mere £300k. The full-back held a key role in Neil Lennon’s side during his time at Parkhead, but admits he could coast through most of their Premiership fixtures.

Frimpong believes Celtic only have to defend against three sides in Rangers, Hibernian and Aberdeen. Yet he feels even the worst-performing German outfits can be tough to beat.

The 20-year-old has overcome his early struggles adapting to the Bundesliga, however, and is now a key part of Gerardo Seoane’s plans. Frimpong has also rediscovered the attacking flair he showed at Celtic to offer two goals and six assists over 20 appearances this season.

Bundesliga sides will expose the version of Frimpong he left at Celtic

But defending has been the biggest difference for the Netherlands U21 international, as Bundesliga sides will expose Frimpong if he tries to play the same way as he did at Celtic.

“The biggest difference is that every game is difficult in the Bundesliga,” Frimpong noted. “You can also play against the last one [in the table] here and they give you a good game.

“You can never switch off. If you give your opponent one chance, then he’ll use it right away. I had to change everything. At Celtic, we had the ball the whole time.

“We didn’t really have to defend. Only when we played against Glasgow Rangers, Hibernian or Aberdeen. I did things that I got away with at Celtic. But of course, you play against much better opponents in Germany. Those were things that you can’t do here.”

Frimpong’s attacking threat was rarely in doubt during the Bayer Leverkusen star’s time at Celtic. He offered five assists and a goal in 30 outings during his final half-season in Glasgow after scoring two and creating three in his debut campaign in green-and-white.

But, clearly, he did not value the level of competition Scottish sides posed when the Hoops were out of possession. So, he will now look to blend both parts of his game in Germany.