Jeremie Frimpong grabbed his second Bundesliga double of the season as he helped Bayer Leverkusen to a big win over Schalke and get the Xabi Alonso era at the club off to a flying start.
The former Celtic star was named in the first team selection of the ex-Liverpool and Spain star as he delivered three points and a huge win over Schalke in his dugout bow in Germany's top league. It was only a second win in nine league outings with the sell-out crowd treated to three goals in just over 50 minutes.
Moussa Diaby fired the home side into the lead seven minutes before the break with a stunning effort. Ex-Hoops man Frimpong quickly followed up the opener with a goal just three minutes later before making it a double with 52 minutes played. Paulinho rounded off the scoring for the big win in the final minute.
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Frimpong - who joined Celtic from Manchester City - has played 60 times for Leverkusen since his departure from Scotland. He's found the net on six occasions with 12 assists to his name from his full-back role.
The result leaves Alonso's men 14th in the Bundesliga standings, with an away clash at last seasons' Europa League winners Frankfurt to come this weekend.
Speaking ahead of his perfect start, he said: "We want to play modern football. That means: intensity with and without the ball, being active rather than passive and with a strong mentality. The team has to know how we want to play. Dominant, intensive, controlled. We have to regain the winning mentality – and that from the kick-off to the final whistle.
"We have to work in a targeted manner. I'm not looking at May but rather at the next game. I will try to give the players clear instructions and ideas. I'd like to help them to produce a new energy to be able to revive a big winning mentality."
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