Mohamed Elyounoussi has been a man on song for Celtic in recent weeks but the Norwegian internationalist has insisted that he hasn’t quite hit the high notes for the Parkhead side just yet.
Seven goals in ten games would suggest a decent run of form since his arrival on a loan deal from Southampton at the end of the summer but the winger has insisted that there is significantly more to come – from both him and Neil Lennon’s side.
His comments come as the Parkhead side prepare for tomorrow night’s game in the Europa League against Lazio. The home game against the Italians was arguably the least effective that the former Molde and Basel player has been for Celtic but that win in Glasgow has put the Parkhead side in a commanding position with the group poised at the halfway stage.
And Elyounoussi, whom Southampton paid £16m for just over a year ago, is optimistic that Celtic can get a result that would put them within touching distance of qualification. The Parkhead side have never beaten Italian opposition on their own soil but they travel to the Stadio Olimpico knowing that a win would earn them automatic qualification from the group with two games to spare, assuming that Cluj beat Rennes in Romania. Such a result is not beyond Lennon’s side, according to Elyounoussi.
“I think over the next few months I can get even better,” said the winger. “I think with the coaches we have here then I am confident I can get stronger. I came here to get some minutes and to try and help the team win some silverware.
“I am looking forward to going up against Lazio as it is a huge game for the club. I never used to watch Italian football or anything like that. I obviously know the big teams they have. Italian teams are always well organised and we saw that from Lazio at the game at Celtic Park. We have a good team though and we feel if we play like we did against Hibernian and Lazio in the first game, then we can cause them some problems. We think we can get all three points from this game.
“If we can get a positive result against Lazio then we will be in a strong position in the group. The manager will have to come up with the plan but I am sure he will come up with something to get the result we want.”
And the winger has also maintained that Celtic should not be overly deferential to the Serie A side.
“I think we should always look to try and play our own game and play with that high press and intensity,” he said. “I don’t think we should sit back and invite them to put pressure on us. We are more than capable of dictating the game over there. I think it shows how good we are that we just have to worry about our own game plan.
“There has been plenty of good Celtic teams over the last few years but I think this squad is up there with the very best. We have to be positive and try and get ourselves on the front foot. We know the level of ability we have and the quality we have throughout this team. We have that belief we can cause any team problems. These are the types of games I came to Celtic for and I am really looking forward to it.”
The finances involved would suggest that a permanent move to Celtic would be prohibitive. Still just 25, Elyounoussi struggled to make a lasting impact at Southampton last term but the English side will be reluctant to allow him to leave without reaping a significant percentage of their investment. Furthermore, the player himself mat still believe that he can return south of the border rejuvenated and a much more confident player than the one who left St Mary’s this summer.
In any case, it is a question of focussing on the immediate nature of a busy season as Celtic look to lay down markers domestically and in a European context. Elyounoussi has expressed his gratitude to Lennon for giving him a restorative platform but he is well aware that the best way to show his appreciation is by making an impact on the pitch. And the chance to get back to feeling part of something has whet Elyounoussi’s appetite to finish this season with some silverware to show for it.
“I haven’t thought about what is going to happen in the future,” said the winger. “All I think about is what is going to happen in the next training session and then the next game. I never look too far ahead.
“When the season is finished I will sit down and look at all of my options, but right now I am just happy to be here and playing for Celtic. I think I need to focus on the here and now and not the future or the past.
“After everything I have been through in the last 12 months and not playing at Southampton, it makes me appreciate what I have even more. It makes winning semi-finals and playing in Europe even more special for me. I really appreciate how often the gaffer has played me since I have arrived and that belief he has in me. I am happy to repay him by scoring some goals and having some assists.”
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