Former Celtic stars Stuart Armstrong and Moi Elyounoussi haven’t had the best of Saturdays, suffering a relegation heartbreak with Southampton in the English Premier League.
Saints’ drop into the English Championship has been on the cards for quite a while but their fate was sealed today after a 2-0 defeat at home to Fulham. Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrovic got the goals, condemning Southampton to a major rebuild and promotion chase in the second tier.
Armstrong and Elyounoussi both featured in the encounter, the former in the starting eleven and the latter off the bench as Southampton chased unlikely goals. The duo have featured in 30-plus matches under three managers this season – the upheaval a massive red flag that all is not well at St Mary’s. The team have managed a meagre 24 points in 36 matches.
What’s next for the former Celtic duo
The future of Elyounoussi, in particular, is in doubt with his contract set to expire at the end of the season and no sign of a renewal on the cards. The 28-year-old Norwegian international had a successful loan spell at the Bhoys from Southampton, scoring 24 goals and assisting 14 times in 67 appearances.
He’d be a bargain free transfer for many good teams across Europe and could even command decent wages arriving from the Premier League.
Armstrong, meanwhile, has a deal that expires in the summer of 2024. Naturally, that means a decision is looming on his future, with this upcoming transfer window the last chance Saints have a chance of securing a fee for him or shedding his salary from the wage bill. They may well decide to keep him for a Championship bid, but will he eye a future elsewhere?
Now 31, the Scotland international is another who found trophies and fine form with the Hoops. His 17-goal campaign during the Invincibles season was a particular highlight of his 144-game career in Glasgow.
I’m definitely one of those Celtic fans who like to see our players do well after leaving the club and it’s never nice to see players you admire go through a relegation. Hopefully, both land on their feet in a stable environment that allows them to get back to form, whether that’s at Saints or elsewhere.
In other news, Ange Postecoglou responds to Ryotaro Ito Celtic transfer reports.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
