Hampden Hit-Man

Mohamed Elyounoussi almost hit a hat-trick in his first game at the National Stadium

- Tony Connelly

MOHAMED Elyounoussi was just one of the Celts praised by the manager, Neil Lennon after the thrilling 5-2 win over Hibernian in Saturday’s League Cup semi-final.

The Norwegian scored twice in the Hampden showdown, just as he did in the recent 6-0 win over Ross County, only this time he came even closer to netting his first Celtic hat-trick.

He was just inches away when, just after the break, he created a yard of space for himself and drilled a shot across goal which beat the keeper, only to come back off the inside of the post.

It was that sort of form which had his manager stating it was the Celt’s best display in the 10 games he has played for the Hoops since joining on loan from Southampton at the end of the recent transfer window.

Prior to that double against Ross County, Elyounoussi opened his Celtic account in the 2-0 UEFA Europa League win over CFR Cluj and he has scored in each of Celtic’s last three outings, with goals against Aberdeen at Pittodrie and St Mirren at Celtic Park coming in the same week as his counters against Hibs.