Elyounoussi on a collision course with his Celts pals
THEY’VE been on this international collision course for months now.
Patiently waiting for the big bang.
But, at long last, Celtic’s dressing room has taken one huge step closer to it being a mouth-watering reality.
Norway versus Scotland for a place at Euro 2020.
A tantalising potential shoot-out which could see, in the red corner, Mohamed Elyounoussi and Kristoffer Ajer going up against Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie, James Forrest, Greg Taylor and, yes, perhaps even Leigh Griffiths from the dark blue one.
It’s been hanging over all of them ever since UEFA confirmed the playoff route towards next summer’s finals.
And before Elyounoussi left to join up with the Norwegian camp ahead of this week’s semi- final showdown with Serbia the winger admitted he’s already got one eye on the prospect of having to become best of frenemies with his team-mates.
Elyounoussi said: “We have been talking about the possibilities ever since we knew the draw and how it could work out.
“Of course, the club games have been keeping our focus but now it’s about concentrating on our national teams. It will be interesting to see who goes through to the final.
“Serbia, I believe, is the favourite of all of us – so that’s going to be a big challenge for us.
“After that, if we get through then it doesn’t really matter to me who we play against. Just beating Serbia is the most important thing right now.
“Yes, it would be a very strange feeling if we do end up playing against Scotland in the final.
“But this is football. You play with team-mates, you play against friends. That’s why we enjoy it.
“Of course, when we play against each other we are not friends any more.
“It is about making sure you win. As soon as the game starts we’re not friends, it’s like I don’t know them any more.
“It will be interesting for all of us to see who reaches the final. The priority for me obviously is Norway and after that I’m happy to play Scotland or Israel.
“Whatever happens, I hope we all have a good experience then return to Celtic without injury.
“We have a big game against Rangers after the internationals.”
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Elyounoussi can’t wait for their semi as this quest for qualification finally comes down to the wire.
He admitted: “The excitement back home is big. Like Scotland, it’s been a long time since we played in the Euros.
“So there are big expectations. Hopefully we can achieve it.
“We have a strong record at home.
“We lost our last game, but before that it was two or three years since our last defeat.”