Celtic boss Neil Lennon has hinted that Mohamed Elyounoussi will start Thursday night’s clash against Lazio.
The Northern Irishman spoke glowingly about the loan recruit who has netted three goals in his last three games. Elyounoussi is slowly starting to show the promise that many Hoops fans anticipated when he joined from Southampton, and it seems like they’ll get a chance to see him up against the Serie A giants as Lennon hinted at his selection.
“He’ll be very important,” he told the press on Wednesday. (Official Celtic YouTube)
“He’s got great European pedigree from his time at Basel. He’s played Premier League with Southampton and I think you’re seeing now the qualities that he has.
“He’s a very intelligent player, very strong, he’s very fluid with the ball and he compliments the players around him very well.
“We’re delighted with the impact he is making now and he’ll be very important tomorrow night.”
An in-form Elyounoussi could terrorise Lazio
Elyounoussi’s proposed start won’t come as a huge shock to the Celtic support. The Norwegian international has arguably been our best player over the past three or four matches. He’s growing in confidence with every game that passes and is starting to show why Southampton rated him at £16million just the summer before last.
His game seems so well suited to Europe because he takes care of the ball so well. Elyounoussi rarely gives it away in surroundings when it is more important to recycle the ball than take chances by running at opponents.
Along with Odsonne Edouard he will arguably be our most important player on Thursday night. It is imperative that he gets involved in the game early on and can try to create some early openings.
If Elyounoussi has another good Europa League night then we stand a good chance of getting a positive result.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
