Sebastian Tounekti is heading into the new season with a clearer sense of what Celtic expect from him after an opening campaign that had its ups and downs. The winger said he is “really positive” about what comes next and wants to get into a rhythm after last summer’s £5.2million move from Hammarby IF.
Tounekti made 17 appearances for Celtic last season and finished with five goals and three assists, a return that showed his ability to influence games even as he adjusted to the demands of life at Parkhead. He also featured as a substitute in Celtic’s 3-1 victory over Dunfermline in the Hampden showpiece on 23 May, as the club completed a league and Cup double.
Learning what Celtic expect
The 23-year-old said his first season was not straightforward, but he believes the experience will help him now. Tounekti said there were “a lot of ups and downs” and explained that he got a real feeling for the club’s size and expectations once he arrived. While he knew Celtic’s history before joining, he said the full scale of the club only becomes clear when a player is actually inside it.
That adjustment period matters because Celtic rarely ask for patience. The standard is immediate production, and Tounekti’s own view is that he can add goals and assists if he settles into a consistent run. He said he wants to get into a rhythm and knows he can help the team win games.
Champions League ambition
Tounekti also pointed to one of the reasons he chose Celtic in the first place: the chance to play in the Champions League for Celtic. That remains part of the appeal for the winger, who said he would love to be involved in those tournaments again and hopes to help the team as soon as possible.
He added that he feels in great form and is training well, which should give Celtic another attacking option as they build toward the new campaign. After a year spent learning the club and its demands, Tounekti now sounds more settled and more confident that he can deliver the kind of output Celtic need.
For Celtic, that is the key takeaway. Tounekti has already shown he can contribute, and his next step is turning that promise into a more regular impact. If he does that, his five goals and three assists could look like only the beginning.
