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Celtic's Mohamed Elyounoussi looking to give Neil Lennon selection headache

Celtic's Mohamed Elyounoussi looking to give Neil Lennon selection headache
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The Norwegian was a regular starter as the new campaign got underway but has found himself confined to the substitutes for the past three games.

Celtic super-substitute Mohamed Elyounoussi has vowed to make boss Neil Lennon think twice about naming him on the bench in future.

The Norwegian was a regular starter as the new campaign got under way but has found himself confined to the substitutes bench for the past three games.

But the 26-year-old struck a claim to regain his slot in Lennon's XI when he fired home a last-gasp winner in Riga to send the Scottish champions through to the Europa League play-off round.

The Parkhead boss declared after the victory in the Latvian capital his hope that the goal would help Elyounoussi "kick-start" his season.

And the Southampton loanee is ready to get motoring.

Elyounoussi – who struck just eight minutes after replacing Odsonne Edouard – said: "I'm pleased to help the team win the game.

"That's what you want as a forward, to create chances and score goals.

"It's hard when you're sitting in the stand watching the game. It was a tough game, Riga defended well so those are the type of games you want to come on and score.

"Of course, like everyone else you want to play every game. But when you're not in the starting XI then you just want to contribute any way you can.

"I'm just delighted I could come in and score the goal.

"Obviously it has been a little bit challenging to be left out. But I see this as a challenge. There's two options – either you go around being frustrated or you pick yourself up and try to prove the manager wrong.

"So I'm trying to train hard and show that I deserve to play."

Elyounoussi's goal has teed up a trip to Sarajevo next Thursday but the £16million winger knows the Hoops are likely to face another battle if they are to secure safe passage to the group stages.

Celtic have lacked a spark at times on the domestic scene this season and laboured again through their clash at Skonto Stadium before Elyounoussi came off the bench to seal the win just as extra-time was looming.

"Those games are really tough," he said. "Teams in Europe are tough. They are going to try to everything to qualify and the game last night proved that.

"Riga defended well and had a good game.

"But it's all about being patient. We have enough quality both in the guys who started and the players on the bench, so we can use the full squad

"Hopefully we can score earlier next time."

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Celtic's Mohamed Elyounoussi celebrates scoring against Riga in the Europa League on September 24, 2020
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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


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