Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon has often expressed admiration for players who have surpassed his expectations, while also acknowledging the challenges in retaining such talent.

One notable example is Jeremie Frimpong, a Dutch full-back who joined Celtic from Manchester City in 2019 for £300,000. Frimpong quickly established himself as a key player, prompting Lennon to commend his rapid development. However, in January 2021, Lennon revealed that Frimpong was on the verge of leaving the club after expressing a desire to pursue opportunities elsewhere. Lennon stated, “The player made it clear to me, to the board, that he wanted to leave.”

Similarly, Lennon has highlighted the contributions of Callum McGregor, describing him as “pivotal” to Celtic’s ambitions. Despite interest from other clubs, Lennon emphasized McGregor’s importance, stating, “He’s pivotal to what we want to do going forward.”