Elyounoussi: I should have scored Mo goals!
Mohamed Elyounoussi helped Celtic boot Hibs out of the Betfred Cup.
But he ended up kicking himself over the missed chances that denied him an even bigger goal haul.
Elyounoussi bagged a brace as the Hoops cruised past the Hibees – and was only denied a hat-trick by the width of the post.
However, the Southampton loanee insisted he would have notched FIVE had he been 100% fit.
“I would say I am getting to full fitness now,” he said.
“If I had been there I would have scored four goals probably. I should have scored four or five.
“But I’m getting back to where I was. I’m feeling good and the boys are playing me into good positions, I enjoy playing with them and we are in a good place just now. “In the league, cup and Europa League we are doing well, so it’s a good time to be a Celtic player.
“I have been close twice now for a hattrick, first in the league and now in the cup.
“So that frustrates me of course. I am hungry and I always want to score more goals.
“But in the end I am happy that we have achieved our goal to get to the final. I am here to score goals but also to win titles.
“I set high standards. As an attacking player I always want to score more. I am happy to have scored two goals, as did Broony, but I always want to score more.”
Brown’s double was his first since December, 2014 – and he clearly relished it.
But he had Elyounoussi’s terrific set-up work to thank for both goals.
“I think Scott was in the box twice and he scored twice, so that’s good for him,” said the Norwegian internationalist.
“I’m happy for him. Especially the second one was good.
“I was happy to set him up and I hear it’s the first time he has scored twice for four or five years.
“He is a good player and an amazing person. I enjoy playing with him.”
Brown’s comradeship isn’t the only thing Elyounoussi is enjoying at Celtic.
Since signing on a season-long loan in the summer, he is blossoming into a key player for the Hoops.
Having struggled to make a first team breakthrough at Southampton, he is loving life at Parkhead, and in particular, the mentorship of Neil Lennon.
“I’m enjoying it,” said Elyounoussi. “We are fit. The coaching staff make sure we are ready for every game, that we recover well.
“It means we can enjoy this game but we have to focus on the next one.
“I came here to get more minutes and to become a better football player. I think the manager can make me better.”
With their place in yet another final confirmed, Celtic will now prepare to face Lazio in the Europa League on Thursday.
But they will do so with one eye on today’s second Betfred Cup semi-final between Hearts and Rangers.
Given the Jam Tarts’ struggles this season, the Gers look like a much tougher potential final opponent.
But Elyounoussi insists the Hoops would relish the chance to face off for the first silverware of the season against their deadliest rivals.
“Yes, why not? We are not scared of any team. We believe in the players, our coaching staff and the team around us.
“I think it would be nice to play Rangers but it doesn’t really matter to us.”