Now is perfect time for Sebastian Tounekti to step up | OneFootball

Time for Sebastian Tounekti to step up. It’s essentially now or never for Celtic’s inconsistent Tunisian winger…

5th September 2026; The Marbill Coaches Stadium, Paisley, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, St Mirren versus Celtic; Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic shoots towards goal. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

With Yang frustratingly away on International duty AHEAD of the upcoming three week international break, and the summer sale of Daizen Maeda, Celtic has been left with a problem in the left hand side of the attack over the next few weeks.

Tounekti likely to start against St Johnstone

And it’s one that Martin O’Neill will be hoping can be filled by Sebastian Tounekti starting tomorrow night at McDiarmid Park.

Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic shoots during the Scottish Premiership match between St. Mirren and Celtic at St Mirren Park on September 05, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

The Norwegian born Tunisian World Cup star looks likely to start against St Johnstone in Perth on Wednesday night, and will most likely be seen as the man to step into the South Korean’s shoes in his absence.

Double header against Rangers upcoming

With a double header against The Rangers upcoming and a Europa League match against Ferencváros, Celtic need all our players to be on the very top of their game.

Sebastian is a terrific talent that’s not in doubt, but the biggest concern surrounding the 24 year old is his failure to produce the goods on a consistent basis.

5th September 2026; The Marbill Coaches Stadium, Paisley, Scottish Premiership, St Mirren versus Celtic; Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic. Vagelis Georgariou

Signed for a fee believed to be £5.5 million from Swedish side Hammarby last summer, Tounekti has blown hot and cold, and continues to divide opinion among the supporters.

Seb who was included in the Tunisian squad for the recent World Cup finals is a player of great potential, he’s possesses terrific skills, looking very much like an old fashioned winger, but his end product and decision making leave a lot to be desired. It’s fair to say that on most occasions Tounekti leaves his manager and the Celtic supporters feeling frustrated at his wastefulness and lack of an end product.

Sebastian Tounekti is the ideal impact player

For me, Seb is the ideal impact player. He’s terrific to bring on when you’re chasing a goal, due to his creativity, with his input in the early round Scottish Cup tie at Celtic Park against Dundee last January proving ever so vital.

The same could be said for his impact in league clashes at Ibrox and Rugby Park, last year which were a a testament to his ability in making a difference for the better.

Sebastian Tounekti celebrates his goal. Dundee Utd v Celtic, Premier Sports Cup, Saturday 15 August. Tannadice. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou

Both the fore-mentioned games were ones we happened to have been trailing in, but turned into a point, and three points respectively, thanks to Seb’s input from the bench.

The impending return of Jota

With Yang now producing the goods on a consistent basis, and the impending return of Jota, which we told you about LAST WEEK on Celtic Shorts, competition for a spot on the left hand side of the attack is about to intensify.

This situation is now the perfect opportunity for Sebastian Tounekto to stake his claim, and prove he’s got what it takes to be a top Celtic player and one that the manager and the support can trust on a regular basis.

James Forrest controls the ball under pressure from Ismeal Kabia St. Mirren and Declan John of St. Mirren during the Scottish Premiership match between St. Mirren and Celtic at St Mirren Park on September 05, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

The big decision tomorrow night is whether Martin O’Neill opts to start Tounekti – and I think that he will – or instead go with the highly experienced and always competent James Forrest for an hour before bringing The Tunisian winger off the bench.

Either way Sebastian Tounekti will get his chance to impress in Perth. He really should take it

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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