The Scottish Premiership 2020/21 season is coming and we’re excited to see if Celtic can secure a record 10th league title in a row.
Since 2014, Celtic and Intelligent Car Leasing have partnered together for both commercial and charitable reasons. Celtic FC Foundation has benefited massively over the last 6 years with Intelligent Car Leasing donating £10 from every leased vehicle to support their causes.
The successful partnership got us thinking… Do Celtic’s superstars drive supercars?
We had an opportunity to sit down and chat with 7 current Celtic greats to find out the following about their driving habits:
Jeremie Frimpong has been a revelation since breaking into the first team against Partick Thistle in September 2019. Last year’s young Dutch summer signing impressed in all 14 league appearances in the 2019/20 season and managed to score 2 goals despite being a right back.
The Celtic starlet, Frimpong – the club’s young player of the year – was an affordable signing and has been incredibly reliable and consistent since joining. We see him as the Honda Civic Type R of Celtic FC – young, lively and full of Zest but how did he respond to our questions?
The ex-Manchester City academy graduate is fortunate enough to have had a Mercedes A-Class as his first vehicle. The subcompact executive vehicle was first introduced in 1997 and is the epitome of German luxury. Each generation of A-Class that Mercedes brings to market outshines the one before. This seems like a very fitting first car for a player who has the potential to become Celtic’s first choice right-back for many seasons to come.
Frimpong still drives his A-Class saloon today. Not surprisingly, the 19-year-old has seen the reliability of his car and sees no need to change his vehicle yet.
The A-Class wasn’t actually Frimpong’s first choice. When he first went into the Mercedes dealership, he was hoping to purchase the Mercedes CLA Coupe. They didn’t have a CLA available and so Frimpong opted for the A-Class. A decision he doesn’t regret.
“Silver Sonic” – We guess that the reason for this is because only his Mercedes A-Class and Sonic the Hedgehog can speed down the right side of a pitch quicker than Frimpong.
From one September 2019 signing to another, Greg Taylor has been a worthy replacement for Kieran Tierney since arriving from Kilmarnock. After several offers from clubs all over Europe, Taylor opted for Celtic and impressed in all 12 appearances before the season ended early.
So how has the Scottish-international left-back answered our questions?
Taylor, like many other young drivers, started with a Ford Fiesta. Since their introduction in 1976, Ford has gone on to sell 16 million Fiesta’s and it will continue to be an affordable option for drivers of all ages.
Now, Taylor is driving the car that Frimpong originally wanted – The Mercedes CLA Coupe. Slick, smooth and speedy – Taylor owns a vehicle that has the same attributes that he possesses when playing his game.
Taylor went for the CLA coupe because it was “a good deal”. Interesting, considering many fans described Taylor this way when he first played in front of the Celtic Park faithful.
Unfortunately, Taylor is yet to name his car. For now, we will call it “The CLA That Helps Taylor Make Strikers MIA (Missing In Action)”
A true legend of Celtic, Scott Brown has been the captain of the team since 2010. An absolute warrior in midfield, his aggression, passion and leadership has been core to Celtic’s success for over a decade.
What did he drive before he drove the Bhoys to glory?
The 35-year-old ex-Hibernian midfielder first owned a “Silver Fiat Punto”. Fiat discontinued their entry-level vehicle in 2018 but it was renowned across the globe as a versatile and steady vehicle.
After making dreams come true for many Hoops fans, it was time for Brown to make his own dream a reality by purchasing a Porsche Cayenne.
Brown didn’t offer an explanation, but we wouldn’t argue with his choice. The Porsche Cayenne’s combination of presence and performance is a perfect match for the man himself.
Brown hasn’t named his car but we’ve nicknamed it “Skipper’s Fast Nipper”. It’s a fast, high performance, strong, solid vehicle – just like Broony himself.
Celtic’s most sought after player, Ajer has been a phenomenon since arriving from Start in 2016. The Norwegian International has gained notoriety for his impressive performances since arriving and has been linked to every major club in the world.
A rock at the back of the Celtic defence/midfield, does he have a car that matches his playing style?
Ajer’s first car matches his luxurious style of play – An Audi A5. Audi markets this vehicle as a “Sportback” and this suits Ajer as he is one of sports toughest centre backs around.
Kristoffer Ajer currently drives a Mercedes GLE Coupe, moving from a two-seater to a four-seater. Seems too coincidental that he made such a move after playing either as a two within a defensive midfield partnership to moving to a defensive back four.
At 6 foot 6, Ajer comes from a tall family – “My whole family has very long legs so I needed a car that could accommodate our need for space”.
Another Celtic player driving a vehicle without a name. We hope he considers “Pålitelig” as a name, as it’s Norwegian for “dependable”. A word that easily describes both Ajer as a footballer and the car that he drives.
Celtic’s second-most expensive signing, Christopher Jullien arrived at Parkhead in June 2019. His first season has been a success and Jullien has continued the form that had seen him progress in France and Germany before making the move to Britain’s first European Cup winners.
What cars give the Frenchman his “VA VA VOOM”?
Jullien’s first car was the now-discontinued Peugeot 207. Production of Peugeot’s popular ‘supermini’ car of the mid-00’s was suspended in 2012 with the introduction of the 208.
The former French youth international has upgraded from his modest beginnings and is currently strolling around in a Mercedes GLE (formerly known as ML).
Like Ajer, Jullien needed space when picking his car. The midsize luxury SUV is perfect for the 6 foot 5 defender who has started his family with his wife Charlotte and their young son.
After incredible performances in his first season in Glasgow, Jullien is yet to name his car. Rumours are that several people have called it “Christopher’s Car” at Lennoxtown’s car park.
When Elhamed signed for Celtic from Hapoel Be’er Sheva, he became the 5th Israeli to play for the Hoops. His performances within Europe last season has left the Celtic faithful with excitement of what is to come from him over the next few years.
Hatem’s first car was a Mercedes E-Class. One of Mercedes’ most successful cars over the years, it has been under production since 1953.
Elhamed is currently driving through the streets of Glasgow in a Range Rover SVR. A big sporty SUV that is powerful and dominant – just like Elhamed when facing some of the best strikers in Scottish and Continental competitions.
“It’s an amazing car and feels very comfortable,” said Elhamed when describing his change to the Range Rover.
There is a pattern here, another car without a name. We think Elhamed should name his SUV “Unbreakable” due to its power, strength and versatility.
Callum McGregor is Mr Celtic and Mr Scotland. Barring a loan spell at Notts County in 2013-14, Mr McGregor has only ever known Glaswegian life. Almost 300 appearances for Celtic alone, McGregor has developed each season that passes and the 27 year old’s statistics get better and better every year.
What does the “driving force of Celtic’s midfield” drive himself?
The only player to have started in a British car – McGregor’s first vehicle purchase was a Vauxhall Corsa.
McGregor joins Ajer in currently driving a Mercedes GLE Coupe. A car worthy of McGregor’s ability to swivel around defenders and find space where others cannot.
McGregor chose the GLE Coupe because “it was a great deal”. Finding a car at a great price with excellent performance can often be hard to find – one of the reason’s Intelligent Car Leasing exists today.
Ok, so only Frimpong has actually named their car. We think McGregor should name his vehicle, “The Winner” as the Mercedes GLE coupe has been rewarded with the highest safety award in 2020 while Callum himself picked up a personal accolade when named in the PFA Scottish team of the year in the 2018-19 season.
Although football has been heavily disrupted in 2020, the restart in Scotland is coming and we are excited to see what Neil Lennon and his men can achieve next season.
Intelligent Car Leasing is headquartered in Glasgow and provides leasing services to personal and business customers across the United Kingdom. Celtic and Intelligent Car Leasing will continue to work together due to shared values and objectives for success.
This entry was posted in Celtic on by Kevin Blackmore
