Sebastian Tounekti was Celtic’s only deadline day signing.
In a much-needed addition with Brendan Rodgers in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, the Tunisian international was brought to the club from Swedish side Hammarby.
The 23-year-old has spent his career at various European clubs, mainly in Norway, where he was raised. Moves to Bodo/Glimt and Groningen didn’t quite work out, and he eventually settled at Haugesund.
An impressive 2024 season earned him the move to Hammarby, where he played for just six months before a move to Celtic Park came up.
And after impressing Celtic fans with his debut performance, he spoke to the Scottish media for the first time on Tuesday.
Of course I watched the Champions League games says Sebastian Tounekti
Whilst on the fringes at Bodo/Glimt, Tounekti got a few small tastes of European qualifier football.
The winger will now play in the main phase of a European competition for the first time with the Hoops.
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Speaking to the media at Celtic Park, he said: “I heard about the interest through the summer and of course I watched the Champions League games – of course, we all wanted to go through into the Champions League.
“Of course, you wanted the team to play well and to go through, but we all know that in football it’s never easy – especially when you’re in the qualifying play-offs and you’re going to meet good teams.
“The team from Kazakhstan played really well, I think. So of course, you wanted the team to go through, and the reality is that we’re going to play Europa League, and we’re going to do everything we can to have a good campaign there.”
If the forward can maintain his performance level from Sunday, Europa League full-backs could be in for some long evenings.
Will Sebastian Tounekti become Celtic’s first-choice left-winger?
Tounekti also made clear in his press conference that his preferred position is on the left wing, and he isn’t short of competition for that spot in the team.
Daizen Maeda, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and, when fit, Jota would all be seen as strong options for the left flank too – so will Tounekti make the position his own?
A lack of centre-forward options is likely to make Maeda more needed in that position than on the left, and for Balikwisha, better performances may well be ahead.
But it would be a surprise if Tounekti doesn’t keep his spot for the next fixture against Partick Thistle, given his showing in Ayrshire.
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