TWO-GOAL Mohamed Elyounoussi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry after the 2-2 Europa League Group H stalemate with Lille in France last night.
The Norwegian international attacker struck twice in the space of four minutes and 28 seconds in the first-half.
But the Hoops had to weather the storm as the French outfit, joint top of Lige ! alongside Paris Saint-Germain and unbeaten this season, came battling back after the turnaround to snatch a point.
Neil Lennon’s men still had the chance to get a third as the home side wilted after such an awesome effort, but they had to be content with a draw against a very good team.
Elyounoussi, speaking to BT Sport, said: “If you had asked me before the game, I would be happy with one point, Lille is a good side.
“But when you are leading 2-0, you are disappointed that you didn’t get the win and that would have been really good for us.
“So, mixed emotions right now.
“And I don’t think too much about the ones I scored, I was disappointed with the ones in the second-half when I should have passed it earlier or just go for it as I did in the first-half.
“Obviously, I am happy with my two goals, but I’m still a little bit disappointed, I could have scored a hat-trick.
“We played against a really good side so one point is okay.”
Elyounoussi netted his first in the 28th minute with an exquisite curling finish that left the keeper rooted to the spot.
He followed up with a quickfire second after some excellent work on the right by Jeremie Frimpong.
Comeback keeper Scott Bain saved a Jonathan David penalty-kick five minutes before the interval and it looked like it was going to Celtic’s night.
However, defender Zeki Celik pulled a goal back in 67th minutes and Jonathan Ikone levelled in the 75th minute.
Lennon’s side now face crucial back-to-back matches against Sparta Prague next month as they aim for a place in the last 32.
DRAMA AS HOOPS HOLD ON AFTER TWO-GOAL ADVANTAGE
