MX23RW : Saturday, April 20 03:03:50| >> :600:111824:111824:

Mohamed Elyounoussi determined to help Celtic reach Champions League group stage

Neil Lennon's side cruised through their first-round qualifier.

Mohamed Elyounoussi has his sights set on Champions League football after helping Celtic take a step towards the tournament proper with a double in the 6-0 win against KR Reykjavik.

The 26-year-old Norway winger returned to Parkhead in the summer for a second loan spell from Southampton and showed at Celtic Park on Tuesday night just why he had been brought back with the first and last goals in a one-sided first-round qualifier against the Icelandic minnows.

Christopher Jullien, Greg Taylor and Odsonne Edouard were also on target, with the visitors scoring an own goal through defender Arnor Adalsteinsson, as Celtic set up a second qualifier, also one-legged, against Ferencvaros or Djurgarden next week.

Man-of-the-match Elyounoussi said: "All players want to play at the highest level as possible and the Champions League is amazing.

"I really want to experience it with Celtic, hopefully in front of our fans.

"I know those nights here at Celtic Park are amazing.

"I heard it is a few years since Celtic played in the Champions League.

"It is a huge goal for us. We are going to try everything to reach that goal and obviously the cup and the league as well.

"We have the squad for it, we believe in our manager and coaching team, so this was a good result and we need to focus on the next one."

The former Molde and Basel attacker believes that there is "more to come" from Neil Lennon's men.

"I am an offensive player, I like to create chances and score goals," he said.

"So obviously I am happy to help the team to win the game. I should have scored a hat-trick but hopefully next time.

"We played with confidence and got the clean sheet. It was a good performance."

Elyounoussi was glad to see his former Basel team-mate Albian Ajeti, the Swiss striker recently signed from West Ham, come off the bench in the second half to make his debut and hopes they will form a potent partnership again.

He said: "He just came a few days ago. He will need some time to get fit.

"But he is a strong player physically, smart player, very clever in front of goal.

"He had a few assists for me, I had a few assists for him when we played together.

"When he gets fit and gets confidence, I am sure he will score some goals here.

"We know each other well – if we both play we know what to expect from each other."

ID:410852: cacheID:410852:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3803:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Celtic manager Neil Lennon pictured on July 21, 2020
Read Next:
Neil Lennon: 'Clash with Reykjavik will benefit us in long run'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
Championship Group
1Celtic000080265478
2RangersRangers000072234975
3Hearts000046341262
4Kilmarnock00004334951
5St Mirren00003843-543
6Dundee00004454-1041
Relegation Group
1Hibernian00004451-739
2Motherwell00004651-537
3Aberdeen00003549-1435
4St Johnstone00002446-2231
5Ross County00003256-2430
6Livingston00002259-3718
 
First Phase
1Celtic33246380265478
2RangersRangers33243672234975
3Hearts33195946341262
4Kilmarnock33131284334951
5St Mirren33127143843-543
6Dundee331011124454-1041
7Hibernian33912124451-739
8Motherwell33813124651-537
9Aberdeen33811143549-1435
10St Johnstone33710162446-2231
11Ross County3379173256-2430
12Livingston3339212259-3718


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!