Sebastian Tounekti aims high as Celtic prepare to launch Europa League campaign

Sebastian Tounekti has made a flying start to his Celtic career so it is no surprise he is aiming high as the Hoops prepare to launch their Europa League campaign.

The Tunisia international followed his man-of-the-match debut at Kilmarnock with a goal in Sunday’s 4-0 Premier Sports Cup win over Partick Thistle.

The 23-year-old’s third game for Celtic will come in a third competition as Brendan Rodgers’ side travel to Serbia to take on Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday night.

The ructions from Celtic’s Champions League exit were still evident at Firhill as fans continued their calls for the removal of key directors but Tounekti was focused on making an impact in the Europa League.

“European games are always tough and interesting,” the Norwegian-born winger said. “I know it’s a difficult place to go but I feel the team is in a good way. I feel we are developing every day. The most important thing is to be us and to play our game.

“Europe is really important. We want to go as far as possible and we feel like we can do that – that’s the goal.”

Tounekti made his Europa League debut five years ago as Bodo/Glimt returned to European competition in style following a 16-year absence. The then-teenager scored in a 6-1 win over Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris in a sign of things to come for the club.

Their run ended with a 3-2 defeat by AC Milan at San Siro that season but they beat Celtic home and away on their way to the Conference League quarter-finals the following season, and Tounekti played in five European games in total before departing.

His former club established themselves as group-stage regulars and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last season before booking their spot in the Champions League.

Tounekti said: “The secret is to be ourselves, not to change. We have to play our style of football.

“Bodo has shown it is possible to go far and we want to go as far as possible and for that we need to play our style and develop. We have to stay focused.”

Tounekti outlined why he has been able to hit the ground running in Scotland.

“It’s been a big help from my team-mates and coaches,” he said. “They have helped me a lot. It has been really easy to come into the group and to settle in. Especially the playing style, it suits me really well.

“The manager is giving me a lot of freedom to do what I am doing, to help the team, to create chances, to create goals and to beat players. I just want to help the team as much as possible.

“The first game was good but my job is to contribute with goals and assists and it’s always nice to get started.”

Sunday’s win set up another Glasgow derby against Rangers in the semi-finals in early November and Tounekti is delighted to get the chance to experience the occasion, after signing from Hammarby, 24 hours after the teams met in the league.

“Unfortunately I missed the first one,” he said. “I have heard many, many things about the derby. I’m really looking forward to it.”