SEBASTIAN TOUNETKI introduced himself to the Celtic support with a Man of the Match performance in the drama-laden 2-1 triumph over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park yesterday.
The Tunisian winger, a £5.2million deadline-day signing from Swedish outfit Hammarby, lit up a wet and grey Ayrshire afternoon with a dazzling display of wing play that augurs well for the weeks and months ahead.
Tounekti gave Killie defender James Brown a torrid time before being taken off in the 88th minute with Yang Hyun-jun coming on in his place with the score tied at 1-1 before Kelechi Iheanacho’s stoppage-time penalty-kick winner.
YELLOW PERIL…Sebastian Tounekti is booked by referee John Beaton after a tussle with grounded Liam Polworth. Callum McGregor is about to plead the case for the Celtic debutant.
The wide Bhoy was all smiles at the conclusion of a hard-fought win on the treacherous plastic pitch of the hosts and, speaking to the Scottish Sun, said: “The reason I wanted to come to Celtic is because it’s a massive club.
“I think the playing style is fitting me really well.
“I get lots of chances to go and create something. That’s my style, so I’m just really happy to be here.
“We know we have to keep going until the end and we have a great mentality and Kelechi is cold there at the end.
“It’s a lot of pressure when you go up and take that penalty, so all honour to him.”
POINTS MADE…Brendan Rodgers acknowledges the fans at full-time.
Brendan Rodgers was also beaming after the flanker’s five-star debut and added: “You look at Sebastian Tounekti.
“If we had him in when we wanted to have him in then it can be a different sport for us.
“Outstanding, he was. These are all things we need to find clarity on and be better at.”
Now the focus switches to the Premier Sports League Cup on Sunday afternoon when the holders travel across Glasgow to Firhill to face Mark Wilson’s Championship outfit Partick Thistle.
