Seb Tounekti has expressed that he’s just beginning to find his stride while wearing the Celtic jersey. The winger made a significant impact during Saturday’s Scottish Cup match against Dundee, entering as a substitute to assist in Junior Adamu’s equalizer and scoring the decisive goal in extra time.

Though Tounekti started the season on a high note, his form dipped, leaving Celtic fans eager for a reminder of his potential. The 23-year-old’s performance in the cup tie served as just that, showcasing his talents and determination to excel.

“For me, this is just the beginning,” Tounekti shared. “I believe I have a lot of room to grow, and I have the capability to do so. Building confidence and working hard during training are crucial, and I’m committed to improving with each game.”

Explaining why he feels his best performances are still ahead, the former Hammarby player noted, “People tend to overlook that I’m transitioning from a smaller team to a club with significant expectations. Celtic is a massive team, and adjusting to this environment takes time.”

“Moreover, I’m still a young player, learning and developing. I feel fortunate to have the right people supporting me now, which makes a world of difference,” he added, hinting at a promising future with Celtic.

Tounekti, above centre, is congratulated by Celtic team-mates after extra-time winner

Tounekti also set up the vital equaliser for Junior Adama against Dundee at Parkhead

Tunisian international Tounekti savours the acclaim of fans after his crucial goal on Saturday

‘Also, I would say I’m a young player who’s still learning and I just feel like I have the right people around me now.

‘I’m learning every day. I hope I will take more steps because I feel like I could help the team a lot.

‘When you play for a team like Celtic, you have to win and play well every game. I’m still learning.

‘I have the ability to help the team and to play here. I just have to try to show it more often. I’m just happy to be here.’

Tounekti began the season under Brendan Rodgers, then Wilfried Nancy, and is now featuring under Martin O’Neill for the second time.

He reckons O’Neill’s liking for wingers to simply take on their direct opponent can be the making of him.

‘I feel like I have a lot of freedom when I have the ball,’ he explained. ‘The manager wants me to attack, to go against players.

‘I love that. I feel like the manager believes in me, so I just want to keep going and help the team.

‘They (coaches) helped me a lot, especially in the training. We work a lot on the training ground to score goals and to make assists, to be in the right areas every time.

‘Also, we look at a lot of videos, so they helped me a lot. I’m just really pleased to be around people like that.’

Tounekti credits Martin O’Neill, above, for allowing him to play with more freedom as a winger

Tounekti is looking forward to playing alongside Celtic’s new signing Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, who was paraded at Parkhead on Saturday

Tounekti whoops it up with his team-mates after putting Celtic into the quarter finals

Celtic signed five players on loan in the January transfer window, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain subsequently arriving on an initial deal until the end of the season.

Tounekti is convinced that the vastly experienced 32-year-old former Liverpool and Arsenal man can be a pivotal figure as Celtic hunt down a league and cup double.

‘Yes, he’s a big name,’ he said. ‘He’s won a lot, the Champions League and the league. He has been playing at the highest level, so he will be really important for us.

‘I’m really pleased to have him here. He will help us a lot on and off the pitch. So, it’s brilliant to have him here.

‘Of course, we will fight until the end. I feel like we are a young team and we’re learning and developing.

‘We want to win every game, of course. We have a match almost every day, so we have to just keep going because every match is important when you have the logo of this team on it.’