Seb Tounekti has openly admitted that he is only now beginning to find his true form while wearing the iconic Celtic jersey. The dynamic winger dramatically altered the course of Saturday's Scottish Cup tie against Dundee with a sensational substitute appearance, first providing the assist for Junior Adamu's equaliser before netting a decisive extra-time winner himself.
A Welcome Return to Form
Having started the season with considerable promise, only to suffer a noticeable dip in form, this performance served as a timely and welcome reminder for the Celtic faithful of the 23-year-old Tunisian international's immense potential. Now, Tounekti confidently asserts that he is prepared to deliver such impactful performances on a far more consistent basis for the Glasgow giants.
'Of course I'm happy I could help the team,' Tounekti stated. 'I want to help every game with goals and assists. To me, this is only the start. I feel I could improve a lot and I possess the ability to do just that. I simply need to grow in confidence and work tirelessly in training. I am certain that I will improve with every single game.'
Adapting to Celtic's Demands
Expanding on his belief that his best football is still ahead of him, the former Hammarby player added a crucial perspective. 'I believe people sometimes forget that I am coming to a truly massive club with exceptionally high expectations. It's not a small team. Additionally, I am a young player who is still learning, and I feel I now have the right people surrounding me to develop.'
'I am learning every single day. I hope to take many more steps forward because I genuinely feel I can help this team significantly. When you represent a club like Celtic, you are required to win and perform well in every match. I am still on that learning journey, but I have the ability to help the team and to play here. I just need to demonstrate it more frequently. I am simply delighted to be here.'
The O'Neill Influence
Tounekti, who began the season under Brendan Rodgers, then Wilfried Nancy, is now featuring for the second time under manager Martin O'Neill. He firmly believes that O'Neill's tactical preference for wingers to aggressively take on their direct opponent could be the key to unlocking his full potential.
'I feel I have a great deal of freedom when I am on the ball,' he explained. 'The manager wants me to attack, to go directly at players. I absolutely love that philosophy. I feel the manager has belief in me, so I just want to continue progressing and helping the team.'
He credited the coaching staff for their significant role in his development. 'They have helped me immensely, particularly in training sessions. We work extensively on the training ground to score goals and create assists, to be in the right positions at the right moment. We also analyse a lot of video footage, so they have been a tremendous help. I am really pleased to be surrounded by such supportive people.'
Boost from New Signing
Celtic were active in the January transfer window, securing five loan signings, with the subsequent arrival of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on an initial deal until the season's end. Tounekti is convinced that the vastly experienced 32-year-old, formerly of Liverpool and Arsenal, can become a pivotal figure as Celtic pursue a coveted league and cup double.
'Yes, he is a major name in football,' Tounekti said of Oxlade-Chamberlain. 'He has won a great deal, including the Champions League and league titles. He has competed at the very highest level, so he will be incredibly important for our squad. I am truly pleased to have him here. He will assist us greatly both on and off the pitch. It is brilliant to have his quality and experience.'
Fighting Until the End
Looking ahead to the remainder of the campaign, Tounekti emphasised the team's collective determination. 'We will fight relentlessly until the very end. I feel we are a young team that is continuously learning and developing. We want to win every game, of course. We have a match almost every day, so we must simply keep pushing forward because every single match is crucial when you wear the logo of this great club.'
