Celtic winger Mohamed Elyounoussi has seen his game-time limited recently, but he undoubtedly showed up well against Aberdeen yesterday.
Moi was selected to take part for the final 25 minutes yesterday after again failing to make the starting XI. It’s the seventh consecutive game in which the Norwegian has failed to start.
However, he was far from the worst as he threatened to spark Celtic back into life in the closing stages.
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He showed some neat footwork to get away from Dons defenders and seemed to take up a spot on the left-flank in front of Diego Laxalt. Neil Lennon had too often been featuring him up top as part of a strike-pairing and at times as a number 10. But he showed how comfortable he was operating down the left under John Kennedy.
Moi got into some promising positions in the final third thanks to his footwork. However, the cutting edge that was generally missing all day from Celtic was also lacking in the substitute.
Celtic chances returned after Mohamed Elyounoussi introduction vs Aberdeen
He had replaced the ineffective Patryk Klimala, who, despite getting into some good areas, failed to score two glaring opportunities. Not that Elyounoussi’s introduction led to Celtic banging in the goals, but he added a touch more potency.
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Join the forum now >>The ball also stuck with him extremely well. The on-loan Southampton winger managed to keep the Dons on the back-foot in the closing stages and played some key passes which helped launch counter-attacking opportunities.
It was, at the very least, good to see Elyounoussi actually in a game. Too often this term he’s been anonymous, despite his 13 goals in 36 appearances [Transfermarkt]. That wasn’t the case yesterday – he looked eager to impress.
Mohamed Elyounoussi celebrates for Celtic at Livingston / (Photo by Alan Harvey/SNS Group via Getty Images)
But it was what it was – 25 minutes. He’ll be disappointed that he didn’t add to his direct goal contribution haul yesterday, especially with how the game opened up.
Yet he’ll take plenty of satisfaction from what he gave Celtic in the closing stages. It remains to be seen if this will lead to a return to the starting line-up again for the first time since mid-January.
Here’s a look at how many in the Celtic support viewed his performance:
Please don’t shout at me for this opinion but I think Elyounoussi is very underrated and under appreciated. If he’s available for 5 million we should be biting Southampton’s hand off for him at that price
— Oran (@oranstorrie99) February 27, 2021
Elyounoussi should have started, no question.
— Paul Harvie (@PJHarvie) February 27, 2021
And yes I know he's been a disappointment overall but in five minutes elyounoussi has contributed more than klimala in his entire time on park. Gives us much more threat.
— DrSevcoPHD (@DrSevco) February 27, 2021
Think one of the biggest grievances of this season has been is how criminally underplayed Elyounoussi has been played in his actual position!
— James 🍀 (@JREN1967) February 27, 2021
Elyounoussi’s maybe been our most disrespected player this season, brilliant goal return despite being dropped at almost every opportunity
— Martino (@martino67_) February 27, 2021
First half I thought was decent, good pressing and in my opinion a bit quicker. Don’t know what happened in the second half, we happened to be on the back foot for the majority of it. Thought Elyounoussi was impressive when he came on.
Another step closer of this season ending
— 🍟🧀🐱Mohamed Elyounoussi (@MoiMania_) February 27, 2021
Be mad not to sign him. Very under appreciated https://t.co/k3brnDfny4
— David Quinn (@daveyquinn3) February 27, 2021
He’s only 2 off this season 😂😂
— Dale Handley (@Dalecfc) February 27, 2021