Jeremie Frimpong has not played for Scottish Premiership champions Celtic yet since joining from Manchester City.
Jeremie Frimpong could make his Celtic debut in tonight’s BetFred Cup quarter-final clash agaisnts Partick Thistle, according to ScotZine, while Hatem Abd Elhamed is also set to start in a whole new role.
With Lennon hoping to guide The Hoops to a fourth straight domestic treble, don’t expect him to deploy a team full of teenagers and forgotten men when Glasgow neighbours Partick Thistle make the short trip to Parkhead on Wednesday.
But with Celtic facing a hectic fixture schedule, the last-eight clash is an opportunity for the manager to shuffle his pack somewhat and give an opportunity to a number of fringe players.
One of those, 18-year-old summer signing Frimpong, is expected to be handed his first Celtic appearance with Lennon having been impressed with the former Manchester City youngster’s performances in training.
This means that Israel international Elhamed, a £1.6 million summer signing from Hapoel Be’er Sheva (The Sun), will move across to centre-half in place of Christopher Jullien, who suffered a slight hamstring strain during Sunday’s 3-1 win against Kilmarnock.
Elhamed’s versatility is no secret but he has played at right-back in all eight of his appearances for Celtic so far. With Jozo Simunovic set to miss a number of weeks with injury, Lennon will be hoping that Elhamed (below) can prove himself to be a reliable back-up in the centre of defence.
16-year-old Leo Hjelde could be in line for a debut too after being spotted in first-team training on Tuesday, as reported by the Daily Record.
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