EX-CELT TOLD ELYOUNOUSSI PARKHEAD WAS PERFECT FOR CAREER PICK-ME-UP

MOHAMED ELYOUNOUSSI has revealed how former Celtic star Stuart Armstrong played a pivotal role in persuading him to make his loan move from Southampton to Parkhead. The pair became team-mates after Armstrong made a £7million switch to the English Premier League club in the summer of 2018. Elyounoussi’s Saints career had failed to take off following his £16m arrival from Basel and, when it emerged Neil Lennon was in the market for a winger, it was Armstrong who advised the Norwegian international that Glasgow’s east end would provide a perfect escape route until the end of the season. Although snubbed by Ralph Hasenhuttl at

St Mary’s, the 25-year-old has become a hero with Celtic fans, his seven goals and five assists culminating in yesterday’s award of Ladbrokes Premiership Player of the Month for October. ‘I spoke to Stuart and he was able to tell me things I didn’t know about Celtic,’ said Elyounoussi (right). ‘He told me so many good things about the club. And it was perfect that he sat next to me in the Southampton trainingground dressing room. ‘I had also spoken with (fellow Norway cap) Kris Ajer about Celtic, so I had a good knowledge of what I was coming into. The clubs had been talking and, when my agent told me about it, the loan happened very quickly. ‘I spoke to the manager and he explained what he wanted from me and I was excited about what was coming. ‘Now I’m so happy I came here. I didn’t look at it as a step down — I needed game time and I have found that it’s far from easy here. We’re playing against good teams who make it hard for us. We have the pressure to win every week and it’s not always easy to do that. ‘But Celtic have brought my confidence back. With the manager’s belief and trust in me and the help of the coaches, too, I feel I’m bringing what I can to the team. ‘I’ve scored seven goals so far and I’m happy with that but I feel I could have scored even more.’ With a Betfred Cup final

against Rangers looming on December 8, Elyounoussi sparked anxiety among Celtic fans when he was sent home by Norway with a foot injury last week. While a doubt for Saturday’s visit of Livingston, the player insists he should be available in time for next week’s Europa League clash with Rennes. ‘I actually picked up the injury a couple of weeks ago against Hibs in the semi-final,’ he revealed. ‘Then I had to go with the national team and it didn’t really have enough time to heal. ‘So we had a look and it was decided I needed a rest. But I think it will be alright. ‘The League Cup final is a chance to win some silverware early in the season and I can’t wait. I watched the first Old Firm game of the season (after signing the previous day) and the atmosphere was amazing. It’s something I really want to experience. ‘There’s a good battle in the league, too. Rangers look strong but we’ll focus on our games and then see who’s going to win at the end of the season.’ Norway could yet meet Scotland in a winner-takes-all showdown play-off for Euro 2020, which could mean Elyounoussi and Ajer lining up against Callum McGregor, James Forrest and Ryan Christie. ‘It would be amazing. We’ve already been talking about that among the boys at Celtic,’ said Elyounoussi. ‘But we need to beat Serbia first in our semi and then see what happens.’