In an exhilarating Europa League match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, former Celtic star Jeremie Frimpong played a pivotal role in a sensational comeback for Bayer Leverkusen.
The German side, currently leading the Bundesliga and outpacing traditional powerhouse Bayern Munich, achieved an improbable victory, overturning a 2-0 deficit in both legs to win 5-4 on aggregate against Qarabag. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Frimpong, the former Celtic treble winner, who ignited the comeback by scoring the first goal for Leverkusen in the crucial encounter.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong reacts REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen
Jeremie’s journey to this moment has been nothing short of remarkable. Signed by Celtic under Neil Lennon from Man City, Frimpong quickly established himself in the first team, showcasing his exceptional talent and work rate. Despite the pandemic season’s challenges, which saw Celtic struggling, Frimpong’s performances remained a bright spot. His move to Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth over £10m was a testament to his burgeoning reputation in European football. Celtic, keen to retain a stake in his promising future, smartly negotiated a sell-on clause in his Leverkusen contract, keeping the connection between Frimpong and the Celtic alive.
Frimpong’s form since moving to the Bundesliga has been impressive, contributing significantly to Leverkusen’s success this season. Coming from behind in such dramatic fashion, with two goals in added time, Leverkusen showed the kind of spirit and quality that champions are made of, with Frimpong at the heart of their success.
Many had doubted whether the Europa League was a step too far for Frimpong and his teammates, given the additional pressures of maintaining their lead in the Bundesliga. However, Leverkusen’s incredible comeback has silenced the skeptics,
For Celtic fans, watching Frimpong thrive in such a high-stakes environment brings a mix of pride and wistfulness, knowing that their former star continues to shine, albeit on a different stage.
