£16m NEW BHOY’S TITLE VOW
CELTIC new Bhoy Mohamed Elyounoussi has already managed something that has so far eluded Vakoun Issouf Bayo – he has scored a goal at Parkhead!
The 25-year-old striker became Neil Lennon’s latest recruit when he arrived on a season-long loan from Southampton.
And Elyounoussi, who cost £16million when he signed for the Premier League outfit last year, is one up on Bayo who had his two ‘goals’ stripped from by the SPFL following his impressive performance in the 3-1 win over Hearts last weekend.
The Moroccan-born Norwegian international lined up for Molde against Ronny Deila’s side in a Europa League group stage tie four years ago and scored a superb effort against the helpless Craig Gordon as the Hoops toppled to a 2-1 loss in Glasgow.
The 22 times-capped star, speaking exclusively to the official Celtic website, said: “I can’t wait to get started and pull on the jersey for the first time. It’s an iconic, historic club, so it’s a great move for me.
“Obviously, I know it’s massive club with lots of fans.
“I’ve been to Celtic Park before, so I know what the atmosphere’s like. I was here with Molde back in 2015, and I got a goal and an assist in both games.
“I remember that it was a great atmosphere at Celtic Park when I played here. So, I’m really happy to come here.
“Celtic has a great history of winning titles with a lot of fans behind them, so I’m proud to be a part of the club.
PARADISE…new Bhoy Mohamed Elyounoussi proudly displays his Celtic top.
“This is something I want to achieve at Celtic, scoring goals and creating chances to help the team win games and winning titles. That’s what it’s about. That’s my job as an attacker – to score goals and create chances for the team.”
He added: “I like the way Celtic play their aggressive, offensive football. I’ve seen the way they play football and I can see myself fitting into that.
“I’m looking forward to meeting all the players and the staff and get started at training and to get to know everyone and then just to pull on the jersey. The season has already started for Celtic, so I need to be spot-on and I’m just looking forward to getting started.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play in the Champions League and the Europa League and I have some experience from the Premier League, as well. So I’ll bring that to Celtic.
“I’ve also been fortunate enough to win titles in both Norway and Switzerland, so I know what it’s about, to be favourites to win the league and the pressure that’s demanded from everyone, especially the fans, to win games and win titles. So, that’s the experience I can bring.”
The raider kicked off his career with Sarpsborg 08 in Norway, he moved to Molde in 2014, spending two years there, during which time he won the double with the club.
In 2016, he moved to Swiss side, FC Basel and once again won the domestic league and Cup which earned him his big-money move to Southampton in July last year.