John Kennedy has described the moment Neil Lennon realised he couldn't hold Jeremie Frimpong back any longer.
The 19-year-old Celtic right-back was initially viewed as a project player following his summer 2019 arrival from Manchester City.
But following a stunning Betfred Cup debut against Partick Thistle in September he's since been a regular fixture in Neil Lennon's side.
Assistant boss Kennedy revealed how his first-team bow was the culmination of standout displays in training, and recalled the day he, Lennon and coach Damien Duff agreed his team had come.
"He's been a big plus for us," Kennedy told the Celtic View podcast. "He came in as a young player with talent.
"We had him in and around the main squad to get a feel for it, with a view to building him up for the future to become an important player for us.
"But, to be fair, it was one where on a day to day basis he kept impressing. He kept showing what he was about - very determined, terrific pace.
"What you at the weekend during games is what we were seeing regularly in training.
"I remember there was just one day where myself, the manager and Damien were talking at the side of the pitch.
"It was a case of, we're going to have to let him go, we can't hold him back any longer. And that's what happened, basically. That's how he got himself in the team.
"Forget about his age or his size, we know what we can offer. The ability he had was just too much to hold back.
"You get that with young players, you sense it. You just think: 'We're going to have to let him go here, whether it's an appearance here or there, just put him in and see how he goes'.
"The manager had great faith in Jeremie to do that and we identified quickly we had to give him the opportunity to see how he develops and progresses.
"He's never looked back. He's been an important player for us in the games he's played.
