Tounekti targets starting role as Celtic prepare for Kilmarnock clash

Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti has declared himself ready to secure a starting position in manager Martin O’Neill’s squad as the club prepares for the Scottish Premiership fixture against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park. The 17-year-old Tunisian international, who joined the Glasgow side for £5 million last September, believes his first campaign has provided the necessary grounding to handle the demands of the club.

Tounekti described his initial season as characterised by “a lot of ups and downs,” noting that while the scale of Celtic is known globally, the specific expectations can only be understood through direct experience. He emphasised that he has now fully grasped the meaning of the institution and feels positive about his trajectory, citing significant learning as a key outcome of his debut year.

The winger is set to return to Rugby Park, where he previously scored in the 56th minute to help secure a 2-1 comeback victory in February 2026. Having navigated an inconsistent first campaign, Tounekti indicated he is prepared to contribute either as a starter or from the bench, aiming to demonstrate his worthiness for a regular place in the team ahead of the new season.

In a move reflecting his growing integration into the squad, Tounekti has secured his preferred squad number, 17. The number became available following the departure of Kelechi Iheanacho, and Tounekti confirmed he requested the shirt from club officials, noting it had been one of his first professional numbers.

Despite Tunisia’s early exit from the World Cup, where the team crashed out winless and dismissed manager Sabri Lamouchi after a heavy defeat to Sweden, Tounekti maintained a constructive view of his international experience. He described the tournament as a “great experience” overall, separating the disappointment of the results from the value of competing at that level.