Tounekti reportedly accepts last season brought “ups and downs”, and that honesty matters. At a club like Celtic, wide players are judged quickly on end product, consistency and trust in the biggest games. He appears to understand that now.
“I know I can help the team to win games with goals and assists. I’m pretty sure I will do that,” Tounekti said.
That is the right tone. Not excuses, not noise - just a player acknowledging the standard and backing himself to reach it. If he has truly settled into the demands of Glasgow, this season feels important. He does not just need flashes; he needs a run.
Reports suggest Celtic are closing in on Haissem Hassan, with the winger expected to arrive soon if the move is completed. If that happens, it would give the squad another wide option and sharpen competition across the front line.
That could squeeze Tounekti, but it could also help him. Clubs chasing multiple fronts cannot rely on one or two attackers alone. The best wide players at Celtic thrive on relentless competition, and Tounekti now seems ready to embrace that fight rather than fear it.
There is also encouragement in the update around Jota, who is reportedly edging closer to a return after a long lay-off. If he can come back strongly, it adds another layer to an attack already being reshaped.
Away from the pitch, Martin O’Neill has been temporarily absent, with the report saying Shaun Maloney and Mark Fotheringham have helped oversee preparations. Tounekti said the players want to start well for their manager and praised the “positive vibes” he brings.
Next comes Kilmarnock, then Dundee United in the cup, with a Champions League play-off against LASK looming. For Tounekti, and perhaps for Celtic’s evolving attack, the next few weeks could set the tone.