Tounekti’s style being dulled by Celtic’s ‘slow and pedestrian play’ | OneFootball

Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has expressed his concerns about Sebastian Tounekti’s game being affected by Celtic’s ‘pattern of slow and pedestrian play’ in attacking areas this season…

Sebastian Tounekti at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock v Celtic, 14 September 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Having not been signed early enough to influence the Champions League qualifying tie against Kairat Almaty, Tounekti was a breath of fresh air in the Celtic team at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership and Firhill in the Premier Sports Cup tie but since then Mulgrew is concerned that the winger’s form has dipped as a result of the strange lack of urgency in the Celtic attack this season.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Mulgrew explained his point as he assessed the football Celtic has been playing so far this season.

“It hasn’t been a great season in the final third, mainly,” Charlie said. “Defensively, they have been brilliant. Conceded one or two goals this season. Solid. But going forward in the final third, they just can’t seem to score a goal. Or create a lot of chances. Or score enough.

“You think of Celtic. You think of free-flowing goals. Four or five. Creating a lot of chances and scoring goals. You just aren’t seeing that from Celtic. Although they scored three at the weekend (against Motherwell), they just don’t look like that team.

Sebastian Tounekti scores during the Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“Against Partick Thistle, Tounekti comes in, the left winger, the player they have been crying out for. He looks brilliant, and you go, ‘here we go. This is the start of something, and a player that’s needed.’

“He has a couple of decent games, then kind of falls away again. Falls into that pattern of slow and pedestrian play in the final.”

Tounekti clearly started brightly at Celtic and has subsequently dropped off after the early rush of making an immediate impact. His performance level though is perhaps less of a concern than the wider worry that Mulgrew mentions and that’s the lack of chances being created.

Sebastian Tounekti during the Partick Thistle v Celtic. Premier Sports League Cup. Sunday 21 September. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Against Sporting Braga Brendan Rodgers at long last changed his system from his rigid 4-3-3 and that certainly helped with the 3-5-2 allowing Celtic to take a better grip on the game. That’s got to be an option going forward of alternatively the manager needs to look at his midfield system. He has moved the players around but to great effect so far, so maybe it the shape that the problem.

Chris Sutton was talking about how Callum McGregor is being forced to play an increasing number of backward passes so no wonder Celtic are creating fewer chances than is usually the case.

Rather than one six and two eights further forward why not play Engels alongside the captain and play Nygren as a ten? That keeps the 4-3-3 and we might get a better output from it because the current system is certainly stuttering.

The Celtic Star spoke to Sebastian Tounekti after Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Braga in the Europa League at Celtic Park on 2 October 2025. Photo The Celtic Star

The Celtic Star spoke to Sebastian Tounekti after Celtic’s 2-0 defeat to Braga in the Europa League at Celtic Park last night…

Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic FC encourages the fans ahead of a free kick during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26, Celtic FC vs SC Braga, Celtic Park, 02/10/2025 Photo Colin Poultney PSI-IMAGO

The Celtic Star: Did you think the goal was coming? You created a few chances yourself, the goalkeeper had a cracking save in the second half.

Sebastian Tounekti: “Yeah, I felt like we had the momentum in the game. Then we have to be clinical, especially me. I feel like I had some chances to get a goal. So, for me, I feel like I have to keep working on that part. I have to be clinical when I get in situations like that. So, yeah, I am disappointed I could not help the team tonight.”

READ THIS...Post-Match Interview – Callum McGregor speaks to The Celtic Star

Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic and Bragas Gustaf Lagerbielke during the UEFA Europa League match, round 2 of 8 between Celtic FC and S.C. Braga at Celtic Park, on 2nd October 2025. Photo Mark Runacles IMAGO/ Anadolu Agency

The Celtic Star: That is now one point from two games, six games to go, how do we make sure we turn this around?

Sebastian Tounekti: “No, I think we still have a big chance to do that. It’s a competition where many teams are going through. Even if you don’t make it through to the top eight, then you still get into the playoffs. So, we have so many points and important matches to play for. So, we have to just keep going.”

READ THIS…“It’s my responsibility. I need to somehow find the solutions,” Brendan Rodgers

Celtic FC v S.C. Braga – UEFA Europa League Sebastian Tounekti of Celtic and Braga’s Victor Gomez during the UEFA Europa League match, round 2 of 8 between Celtic FC and S.C. Braga at Celtic Park, on 2nd October 2025. Photo Mark Runacles IMAGO/ Anadolu Agency

The Celtic Star: There seemed to be a nervous energy on the pitch in the first half, what did the manager say at half-time to change that? I know he changed formation as well.

Sebastian Tounekti: Yeah, of course he said that we started the game really well. In the first 20 minutes we were on it and we created some chances. Then, we lost some momentum, and he said that we have to keep going again. We changed a little bit, and I think it helped especially in the press. So, I think that was good but then we have to be clinical because we felt that we had the momentum in the game and we have to score when you have the momentum. I think if we score, we win the game for sure.

Don’t miss the chance to purchase the late, great Celtic historian David Potter’s final book. All remaining copies have been signed by the legendary Celtic captain  Danny McGrain , who also wrote the foreword for Celtic in the Eighties. And you’ll also receive a FREE copy of David Potter’s Willie Fernie biography – Putting on the Style, plus you’ll only be charged for postage on one book.  Order from Celtic Star Books HERE.

Celtic in the Eighties and Willie Fernie – Putting on the Style both by David Potter. Photo The Celtic Star

Danny McGrain has signed the remaining batch of David Potter’s outstanding final book Celtic in the Eighties so hurry to get your signed copy!

Ordering is simple, just place your order for Celtic in the Eighties at celticstarbooks.com/shop and we’ll do the rest, ensuring your copy is signed by Danny PLUS you’ll also receive a complimentary Willie Fernie book dispatched by the next working day, whilst stocks last.

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that stocks are now running very low indeed and the book will NOT be reprinted. Click on the image below to order. Also postage will only be charged on ONE book, not per item so if you are in Britain or the six counties you will pay £24.50 for both books – one side by Danny McGrain and that includes the postage costs for speedy delivery. As always the books are hardback and are of the highest quality.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO ORDER…

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.

More Stories / Latest News

Tounekti’s style being dulled by Celtic’s ‘slow and pedestrian play’

Oct 14 2025, 9:11

Celtic Stars on International Duty – The Story So Far

Oct 14 2025, 8:19

Darren Jackson helped stop their ten and won over the Celtic support

Oct 14 2025, 7:40