Celtic manager Neil Lennon suggested on Saturday evening that the Parkhead side are seeing just why Southampton paid £16m for Mohamed Elyounoussi. For Fraser Forster, however, there has been no surprise that the little winger can be a priceless addition for Celtic this season.
The Norwegian internationalist joined the Celtic goalkeeper on a loan deal at the club this summer with both players revitalising their careers in Glasgow. Elyounoussi struggled to hold down a regular start a St Mary’s last season but with 7 goals in ten games for Celtic and a decent claim on assists too, Forster is thrilled to see that his mate is getting the opportunity to showcase what he has got.
The Celtic support were already familiar with Elyounoussi after he scored against the club in the Europa League when he was with Molde but getting the chance to appreciate the value of the winger when he is doing it for them rather than against them has been invaluable according to Forster.
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“I am delighted for him,” he said. “Obviously he had a tough year last year as well, it is amazing what a bit of love and confidence can for you. Ever since he scored that first goal he has not looked back. He keeps chipping in and contributing and that’s fantastic for us he is doing that.
“I think it is just a positive, multiplying effect. Last year he did not really play much football at all. He has come here and you need that run of games in the team, it’s hard to come in and be expected to do it from day one. But he’s come in, had a few 90 minutes under his belt and scored and had assists and his confidence can only grow and grow if he is doing that.
“I know more than anyone how hard it was for him last year. And he just looks like a completely different player.”
Celtic’s 5-2 win on Saturday evening which eased them into the League Final was the Parkhead side’s 30th successive cup win. It is a remarkable record which underlines the consistency of the club in recent seasons but alongside domestic dominance has been a desire to leave an impression on Continental competition.
To that end, Celtic head to Lazio this Thursday as they look to hang on to their lead at the top of Group E in the Europa League. Celtic have never beaten Italian opposition in Italy but they travel to Rome this week with the tantalising carrot of knowing that a win would earn them automatic qualification from the group with two games to spare, assuming that Cluj beat Rennes in Romania. Even a draw in the Stadio Olimpica would put Lennon’s side within touching distance of qualification.
Forster was one of the heroes in Glasgow with two outstanding saves which helped Celtic celebrate an historic win over Lazio – the first time Lennon has beaten an Italian team – and he has insisted that there is no reason why thy the Parkhead side should not go into the game against the Serie A side with belief.
Lazio need a result for more than just revenge for the defeat at Celtic Park. A defeat would leave the Italians trailing Celtic by seven points which suggests there will be an impetus to their performance. Lazio manager Simone Inzaghi left Serie A top goalscorer Ciro Immobile on the bench for the game last month but the anticipation is that Forster will be charged with keeping him at bay on Thursday night.
“We look at what we have done so far in the Europa League,” said the Celtic keeper. “There is nothing to be scared of if we play the way we know we can play. We are under no illusions how tough it will be. They have some fantastic players so there is nothing to be scared of. We just have to go and do our thing.
“We are in a good vein of form and we have put in some fantastic performances. We are under no illusions, it will be a very tough game. It is important we go and play at a level we know we can play and if we do that there is no reason why we can’t get a positive result.
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“It will be a different game for certain [than the one in Glasgow]. We are expecting them to have a lot of the ball, and hopefully I am not busy – but you never know. It will be a good test. We will see where we are at.
“I think they are all tough [games] for different reasons, obviously when you look at the teams you would probably say Lazio are going to be the best team. They have so much individual quality. It will be a very tough game and one we are not taking lightly.
“It is a tough place to go. We obviously want to go there and put in a good performance and keep doing what we have been doing in the Europa League. I think we have a lot of quality all over the pitch. Look at the attacking positions, we have so much quality. It is just good we have lads firing on all cylinders all over the pitch.”
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