Elyounoussi will prove his point to boss

CELTIC’S Europa League goal hero Mohamed Elyounoussi last night vowed to prove Neil Lennon has been wrong to leave him out of the team. The Norwegian international came off the bench in Riga on Thursday night to score the late goal that sent the Scottish champions into a play-off clash with FK Sarajevo. And although he admits being omitted from the starting line-up is difficult, the on-loan Southampton attacker insists he’ll never throw his toys out of the pram. ‘It is challenging,’ said Elyounoussi (below). ‘But I’ve been professional and there is nothing to be frustrated about. ‘I take it as a challenge to prove the manager and people wrong. ‘The best way to do that is to talk with your feet by coming into the team and contributing. That’s the way it is both in training and in the games. You just have to take your opportunity. ‘Of course, like everyone else, you want to play in every game, but there isn’t anyone who can say I’m not being professional and working hard. And I don’t think anyone can say I didn’t deserve the goal against Riga. ‘As an athlete, you have to be mentally strong. There are two ways you can go (if you are being left out). Either you can get frustrated, you don’t care any more, and you go around being sad. ‘Or you choose to work hard and try everything. For me, there is only one option.’ Celtic will face a heavily congested fixture list at home and abroad if they reach the group stage but Elyounoussi insists he doesn’t need to be rested. ‘The manager has said to me that I am going to play matches and not to worry about that. But every player wants to play in every game,’ he added. ‘Even though there are a lot of games to play throughout the season, I am fit and my body is fit. ‘I can handle it. It’s never been a problem before and, hopefully, it won’t be a problem going forward. ‘I’ll just look at each game at a time and, hopefully, I can (play every game).’