Exclusive: Alan Hutton disappointed by Lennon decision over exciting Celtic teen

Alan Hutton has admitted he is disappointed that Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong was left out of the Europa League squad by manager Neil Lennon.

The former Rangers and Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says that the 18-year-old looks to have taken the Hoops by surprise with his development after his move from Manchester City.

The youngster already has seven appearances under his belt for the Bhoys' first-team, battling the likes of Hatem Abd Elhamed and Moritz Bauer for game time at right-back.

However, the promising talent has not been registered for the club's Europa League group stage games, a decision which has left Hutton bitterly disappointed.

Hutton told Football Insider: "For someone so young, he's showing great promise. Every time I seem to be singing his praises. 

"He's just going from strength to strength. He's really taken his chance with both hands and grasped it. It's a shame he missed out on the European squad. It would have been good for him to be tested at that level. 

"It shows you how quickly he's come on this season that he's not been included in the European squad. He's probably for me, the number one right-back. It's brilliant to see." 

Frimpong did not make a single first-team appearance for Manchester City before leaving the Etihad Stadium in the summer, with his game time at Celtic his first taste of senior action.

While the youngster has started five of the last six league fixtures for Lennon, it was Bauer who was chosen to start the 2-0 win over Stade Rennais.

In other Celtic news, Paul Robinson has been wowed by a Hoops star who was once a forgotten figure.