Neil Lennon was delighted to see a couple of players get back to their best in Latvia as they combined to edge Celtic into the Europa League play-offs.
The Scottish champions were heading for extra-time against Riga before Jeremie Frimpong crossed for fellow substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi to sweep home the only goal in the last minute.
The win set up a play-off clash with Sarajevo in Bosnia next week and gave Lennon encouragement over Norway winger Elyounoussi’s form.
🗣️ @JeremieFrimpong speaking to @CelticTV after assisting the winning goal in #RIGCEL. #UELpic.twitter.com/h986f9iwqy— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 24, 2020
“He’s been out of the team for a few games because he maybe wasn’t at his best – but he’s trained brilliantly, and he’s such a great example to the rest of the squad,” Lennon told Celtic TV.
“He comes up with a really important goal and I couldn’t be happier for him. I hope that sets his season on fire now, because he’s a great player.”
Frimpong came on for the injured James Forrest just after the half-hour mark and is set to continue in the team against Hibernian on Sunday with the Scotland winger struggling with an ankle knock.
Lennon said: “He was great, he gives us that verve and that impetus going forward.
“He’s not been at his best, he has been a bit sloppy at times with the ball, but that was far more like himself.
“He has started to show a lot more glimpses of that in training.
“That’s the best he’s been, certainly this season, I thought he was great and back to the way he was this time last year.”
