Ex Celtic centre-back Vidar Riseth has challenged the club to keep ahold of loanee winger Mohamed Elyounoussi; with the Norwegian claiming his fellow countryman could score 30 goals next season under the imminent new management.
That’s the type of player that every club wants and needs.
Elyounoussi, who has scored 14 league goals in 40 league games for Celtic since his loan move was confirmed in August 2019, has struggled for game time at his parent club – leaving a potential transfer to Celtic firmly on the cards, despite the huge fees that he may commend
But Riseth, who was at Celtic from 1998 to 2000, believes it is an investment worthwhile – especially with the raft of money they are reportedly to receive in player sales, and it offers ‘Moi’ some continuity.
“It’s important to keep him. Of course he’s a good player but it’s also important that he is a good man. He is not someone that you would describe as a big head. Mohamed is a player who will try to take care of other players, the coaches and everyone around him. That’s important to him and that’s the type of player that every club wants and needs.”
Having joined Southampton from Basel in 2018 for £16million, Elyounoussi has not lived up to expectations at St. Mary’s – coming in at a cost of £1mn per league appearance. Ever the professional though, he has kept his head down, worked hard and that attitude has rewarded him with links across the continent – however, Riseth believes Celtic would be the best home for him.
“He trains very hard day to day, when he has to sit on the bench, he does not complain. He doesn’t shout about it. He would quietly speak with the coach about the situation and get on with his work and try to do the things that will get him back. That’s important for the group to have someone like that in there. I know him quite well and he’s a really nice guy. But of course being a nice person is not enough.”
“The most crucial part is he is a good player and he is also that. Everyone can see it. Keeping Mohamed is important because there are so many rumours about players going and there could be many of them.”
There’s no way we should even be considering buying Eluseless he plays a half decent game in every six,not good enough for Southampton not good enough for CELTIC!