MOHAMED Elyounoussi has been sent back to Celtic from International duty with Norway after picking up a foot injury in training with his national side.
Yesterday news broke that Hatem Abd Elhamed will be out for around six weeks, so this latest injury news will be a real blow for Neil Lennon as he looks towards a punishing schedule of matches between now and the 29 December and the start of the winter shutdown.
In that time Celtic have a Cup Final against the Rangers on 8 December, the two remaining Europa League matches at home to Rennes on 28 November and away to Cluj in General Election Day, 12 December and eight Premiership games against Livingston (at home, 23 Nov), Ross County (away, 1 Dec), Hamilton (home, 4 Dec), Hibs (home 15 Dec), Hearts (away, 18 Dec), Aberdeen (home, 21 Dec), St Mirren (away 26 Dec) and the Rangers (home, 29 Dec).
So the loss of Elhamed and the new injury scare surrounding Elyounoussi will be a real worry for the Celtic manager. The Norway boss Lars Lagerback told the Media, as reported by Daily Record, about the injury picked up by the Celtic winger, who is on a season long loan from Southampton.
“Unfortunately, Mohamed has an injured foot and can’t play against the Faroe Islands or Malta. He has left the squad and returned to his club,” Lagerback said.
Elyounoussi has certainly excelled in his time wearing the Hoops. Neil Lennon is clearly a big fan of the Norwegian and appreciates what he’s already brought to the Celtic side.
“What you’re seeing now is the player Southampton spent £16 million on. His intelligence on the ball, link-up play and fitness levels are incredible.
“We’re delighted he’s making us better and we’re delighted we’re making him better.”
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