Celtic may not be the favourites for the Champions League when they enter the competition each year, but their pedigree is hard to beat.
Winning the European Cup in 1967, Celtic are one of the biggest clubs in the world, and also one of the most successful in football too.
Lifting the Scottish Premiership 55 times, the Bhoys have dominated domestically and have been able to develop some real big names.
Jeremie Frimpong was given his first taste of senior football at Celtic Park and impressed before signing for Bayer Leverkusen.
Photo by Nikki Dyer - LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Nikki Dyer – LFC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
The right-back completed a £35m transfer to Liverpool this week, with Celtic earning a windfall from the Frimpong deal and emphasising how he has got even better since swapping Scotland for Germany.
Celtic can say they played a huge role in his development, which is why Bayer Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes’ latest comments leave a sour taste in the mouth.
Bayer Leverkusen chief calls Celtic a ‘lower league’ club
Sure, the Bundesliga may be considered a ‘top five’ league and evidently stronger than the SPFL, but Celtic are by no means a lower league club.
Their trophy cabinet ends that accusation altogether, but Leverkusen’s Rolfes highlighted their purchase of buying and selling from clubs they consider below them as the key to their success.
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In his statement, he said: “Jeremie is a perfect example of the path Bayer 04 Leverkusen has successfully followed many times: bringing a young, highly talented player from a lower league, developing him into a key player to achieve our goals, and thus making him attractive to top European clubs.
“Through this transfer, we can and will shape Leverkusen’s squad of the future. Jerry was a key player in our double-winning team; he has become a fan favourite with his special style and strong performances. Now he wants to prove himself in the Premier League with Liverpool FC. We all wish him the best of luck.”
Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen’s trophy record compared
Rolfes’ comments may have touched a nerve amongst some Celtic supporters and there’s reason for sympathy in this case.
Celtic Trophies Bayer Leverkusen Trophies
Scottish Premiership x 55 Bundesliga x 1
Scottish League Cup x 22 DFB Pokal x 1
Scottish Cup x 42 German Super Cup x 1
European Cup x 1 UEFA Cup x 1
Total 120 4
As we can see, it’s a no contest when it comes to trophies won by both teams.
Of course, Rolfes may have worded his claim incorrectly, but one thing Celtic certainly aren’t is a lower league side.