Ex-United man feels sorry for Celtic star

Former Dundee United defender Bilel Mohsni admits he felt sorry for Celtic star Sebastian Tounekti after Tunisia’s disastrous World Cup campaign.

Mohsni watched Hoops winger Tounekti suffer along with the rest of his Tunisian teammates after they crashed out of Group F, which included heavy defeats to both Sweden and Japan.

Mohsni is a big fan of fellow countryman Tounekti, who joined the Parkhead club from Swedish outfit Hammarby last September and played his part in their dramatic Premiership and Scottish Cup double triumph.

He insists 23-year-old Tounekti was powerless to do anything for the turbulent Tunisians, who sacked their manager mid-campaign when they got rid of Sabri Lamouchi and replaced him with Herve Renard.

Nine-time capped Mohsni, who spent a season at Tannadice after helping Rangers seal their place back in the top flight when he was in Glasgow from 2013-15, said: “It was a disastrous World Cup campaign.

“Tounekti wasn’t able to do much. Obviously, I rate him highly, but he didn’t really have a chance.

“You can’t blame him. It was his first World Cup tournament, but nothing went right in those three group games.

“For a forward like Tounekti, it must have been even more frustrating.

“What can you when it is like this?”

Mohsni, who also had a spell at Southend United, was convinced all along his country would toil in the US.

He said: “I’m very disappointed with Tunisia’s World Cup efforts but, to be honest, I am not surprised.

“I gave up playing for the Tunisian national team in 2018 and I think we now have the proof behind my decision.”