Michael Stewart shares what surprised him about Sebastian Tounekti’s ‘big’ impact in Celtic win
Michael Stewart was surprised that Sebastian Tounekti did not start against Kilmarnock in Celtic’s win on Sunday.
The Hoops left it late at Rugby Park, with Julian Araujo’s 97th-minute winner completing the comeback to win 3-2.
Celtic were two goals behind in the first half, when former Arsenal youngster Tyreece John-Jules opened the scoring before Joe Hugill added a second for Kilmarnock.
Tounekti was brought on at the break and scored brilliantly to cut the deficit, before Benjamin Nygren found the equaliser in the 64th minute.
Celtic huffed and puffed for a winner, and eventually found it when the ball broke to Araujo inside the box to slam home and send the away end into delirium.
- Read more: Martin O’Neill takes cheeky swipe at Julian Araujo as footage emerges after Celtic win vs Kilmarnock
Michael Stewart hails Sebastian Tounekti’s impact
Tounekti has been in superb form since returning to the team following his Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Tunisia.
The 23-year-old signed for Celtic from Hammarby in September last year, in a deal reportedly worth around £5.2million.
He struggled to consistently show the talent that warranted that fee in the early months of his career at Parkhead, however.
| Sebastian Tounekti | Vs Kilmarnock |
| Minutes played | 45 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Shots | 4 |
| Successful dribbles | 1 |
| Was fouled | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Duels won | 4/6 |
Tounekti had enjoyed a superb debut against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, creating four chances, taking five shots and completing five dribbles in a stunning display.
And it was at the same stadium that the winger looked superb on Sunday. The Tunisia international took four shots off the bench, and netted a glorious goal.
Picking up the ball on the left wing, Tounekti dribbled inside before unleashing a stunning strike from way out, that looped over the goalkeeper and into the top corner.
Speaking to BBC Sportscene on Sunday, Stewart said: “I was a little bit surprised that Tounekti didn’t start, because, as you mentioned, he was outstanding on his debut at Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
“Then in the cup game when he came off the bench against Auchinleck, he had a real impact that day as well.
“Sometimes people have just got somewhere where they enjoy playing and clearly, that’s the case with Tounekti at Rugby Park. Big impact, big goal”.
What Martin O’Neill said about ‘terrific’ Tounekti
Tounekti arrived at Celtic at an incredibly turbulent time. The manager who brought him to Celtic Park, Brendan Rodgers, resigned less than two months after he was signed.
The winger would appear in a few games under Wilfried Nancy before departing for AFCON, and by the time he returned, the Frenchman had left, too.
With stability restored, for now, under Martin O’Neill, Tounekti has started to find his feet and show exactly why Celtic were so keen to sign him.
Speaking after the game, his manager said: “We made some changes at half-time. Then Seb scored this wonderful goal for us, and put us right back in the game. It culminated in winning the match.
“He’s having a really good time now. We made some changes. He was a substitute, but what an impact he has made. In the last few weeks, he has risen to the occasion, and he has been terrific.”