JEREMIE Frimpong described his Celtic debut as a dream come true and said his ambitions to make it to the top are motivated by the desire to prove people wrong.

Neil Lennon handed the 18-year-old full-back his Hoops debut in Wednesday night’s 5-0 win against Partick Thistle in the League Cup quarter-final.

Frimpong signed a four-year deal with Celtic, moving from Manchester City, and he has quickly worked his way into the manager’s plans despite his youth. That didn’t hold him back in last night’s game and the teenager impressed with a Man of the Match performance as Neil Lennon's side booked their place inthe semi-final of the League Cup, where they will face Hibernian.

Speaking after the game, Frimpong was ecstatic to play his first game in the senior side.

“It was amazing, a dream come true,” said Frimpong. “It was my first professional game and the fans - I love them already. To hear them when I came off was amazing. I’ve been trying to make a good impression and I found out two or three days ago I was starting. I played well and now I have to keep that going.

“I’m very grateful that the manager gave me a chance. It’s a dream come true to play for Celtic. It’s the biggest club in Scotland so it’s amazing. My goal was to play for the first-team. I thought I was ready and I proved to the manager I was ready. He gave me a chance and hopefully I can do more."

The Dutch defender’s appearance in the starting line-up was not only his debut for Celtic but his competitive debut in senior football. And Frimpong said he was determined to build on his debut and show that he is capable of playing at the top.

“There’s a big difference and you have to adapt to it, but it’s been really good,” he said. “I play football because I want to be the best right-back and I’m going to prove that.

“You have to play with confidence if you want to be a footballer. If you want to be the best you have to play with confidence. Obviously don’t be cocky but just go out there and play your game. You can’t be nervous in front of these fans. They want you to show what you can do for the team and hopefully I can do that.

“I’ve been working hard in training and I play football to prove people wrong and show them what I’ve got. That’s what I’ve been doing and I’m going to keep doing that.”

Jeremie Frimpong determined to build on dream Celtic debut