Tounekti’s message is simple: the pressure is real, but so is the appeal. “Ouvir as histórias das noites de Champions League no Celtic Park torna tudo muito especial. Viver isso no estádio seria incrível,” he says.
That feels like classic Celtic territory. European qualification always sharpens everything at Parkhead - selection calls, transfer plans, even the atmosphere around routine league fixtures. Matches against Kilmarnock and Dundee United may not carry the glamour of LASK, but they look like part of the same story: build rhythm now, or risk carrying doubt into the biggest tie of the month.
Tounekti also sounds fully aware that sentiment alone will not win him minutes. “Quero ganhar ritmo. Sei que posso ajudar o time a vencer jogos com gols e assistências. Estou em boa forma e treinando bem,” he says.
That matters, because reports suggest competition in the front line could intensify. Haissem Hassan has been linked, while Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran are part of an attacking refresh and Jota is reportedly pushing to return after a long lay-off. For Tounekti, the challenge appears straightforward: turn promise into end product, and do it quickly.
“Na temporada passada tive altos e baixos. Você conhece a história e o tamanho do clube, mas precisa estar aqui para sentir as expectativas,” Tounekti says. That is probably the most revealing line of all.
At Celtic, talent is only the starting point. Handling expectation, surviving bad spells and responding to noise are part of the job. Tounekti seems to understand that now in a way only a first season can teach.
The next test is obvious. Celtic must navigate their domestic fixtures cleanly and carry momentum into LASK. If Tounekti can turn motivation into impact, this decisive spell may become the stretch that truly establishes him.