IT’S ONE MO FOR LENNY
Winger signs on.. and Celts close to capturing Kilmarnock star taylor
Mohamed Elyounoussi could have been a Celtic player four years ago if the Hoops hadn’t balked at his price tag.
Now he reckons his arrival is better late than never.
The Norwegian winger, who penned a season-long loan deal from Southampton on Friday night, ran riot in a Europa League double header for Molde against Ronny Deila’s side.
After grabbing two goals and two assists in back-to-back home and away wins, Deila was impressed enough to make a move – but the 3.2million Euros he eventually went to Swiss champs Basel for was too rich for Peter Lawwell’s blood.
And after training with his teammates for the first time yesterday morning at Lennoxtown, the 25-year- old grinned: “Now I get the chance to do it for Celtic rather than against them.
“I had a good experience in those games back in 2015.
“I knew about Celtic’s interest back then. From what I’ve heard, though, I was a bit too expensive, although I can’t confirm that.
“I do remember at that time I wanted to come to Celtic, especially after playing at the stadium. The atmosphere was amazing that night – until we scored.
“I would have signed if I could, it was my wish to come back then but it’s better late than never. And this Celtic team looks better now.
“The quality and intensity is there, and maybe the organisation and shape. I remember I had a lot of time on the ball against Celtic.
“The team is more aggressive now and they play with more intensity. The results talk for themselves.”
That intensity is what Elyounoussi is here to rediscover for himself.
A £16m transfer to Saints last summer, the 22-cap playmaker was at the peak of his powers, earning the move with an array of end products that included 66 goals in 177 games between the Norwegian and Swiss top flight sides.
He arrives at the Hoops with it all still to prove, however, after a stop- start season in the EPL left him low on confidence.
But he insisted: “I don’t think I will struggle to get back to that level of intensity.
“I need a bit of time to get to know the players, that would be the only thing. I feel fit enough to play but it’s the gaffer’s decision.
“What was missing last season? It was all small details. It didn’t start great because I was injured and it took some time, it was my first game and I got an injury when I’d never had one in my career.
“But I got back, then the manager got sacked, a new manager came in – a lot of things went on and it was hard to get momentum.
“As a player you want to play more so that’s why I’m here, to get back to where I was.”
Elyounoussi may have been on the Hoops’ radar four years ago, but his current move has been in the works for a fortnight.
He had options, and Saints wanted him playing – but as soon as he heard Celtic were in for him, his mind was made up.
He said: “I first heard about the interest a couple of weeks ago and there was a bit of back and forth.
“I got the green light a few days ago and on Friday morning I went to London and I had the medical check there, some scans.
“I then flew up in the afternoon, came to the stadium and signed the papers there.
“I was happy to hear about Celtic’s interest. There was a negotiation between my club and the agent.
“I had some talks with Nicky Hammond as well. It felt good when Celtic came in. I don’t want to talk about other clubs but I was happy when it was done. I felt like Celtic was the right choice for me. The size of the club and the way they play football too.
“I watched some games, especially in the Europa League against my cousin Tarik’s team AIK, although he didn’t play.
“They play attacking football. I liked it instantly and wanted to be part of it.” Elyounoussi says he’s happy playing any attacking role for Celtic but he’s at his best either in the No. 10 role or off the left – areas where Celtic aren’t short of options. He said: “I ’ m an attacking player, I like to create. “If you look at my career stats, except at Southampton, I’ve got a good goals and assists record. “I know it will be a challenge for me to get in the team as there is a lot of competition. “Celtic have scored a lot of goals already this season but I will help when I get my chance. “I like the pressure of history and going for the title. “I can compare it to my time at
Basel when they had won the league seven times in a row when I got there and we made it eight.
“I liked that pressure and the challenge, so that’s why I am here at Celtic.”