Ex-Celtic star chooses Jeremie Frimpong ahead of Tavernier in Rangers Celtic combined XI ahead of derby

Published on: 06 December 2019

Former Celtic star, Mark Wilson now turned pundit has incurred the wrath of Rangers fans just before Sunday's old firm derby among the two heavyweights.

The two heavyweights in Scottish football with square off at Hampden Park on Sunday in a League Cup final.

Ahead of the game while compiling his combined XI between Neil Lennon and Steven Gerard's team, he raised eyebrows by leaving out the tried and tested James Tavernier instead going for the rookie Jeremie Frimpong.

The Dutch-born Ghanaian has been in an impressive form for the bhoys lately in the league earning the praise of his coach and teammates alike.

In the eyes of Wilson, who spent six years at Parkhead, only four Gers stars would make Neil Lennon's team but he has controversially omitted Tavernier for Frimpong.

He wrote in The Scottish Sun: "I know he’s not been tested, but I think he looks sounder defensively than James Tavernier.

"Tavernier has millions of assists, which is a brilliant attribute to have, but look at the games Frimpong has played. I know it’s not many, but he’s still had more than a few assists in those games. If you compare that in terms of ratios, it would be pretty close."

For starters, the Dutchman is 18 years old and only has 619 minutes of senior football under his belt in his career - the equivalent of under seven full matches.

Tavernier, on the other hand, has played at least 35 league games - and well more than 10 derbies - for the Gers over the past four seasons and there's just no way you can argue that Frimpong is the better player.

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