EXCLUSIVE: Thompson says Elyounoussi’s form could be down to uncertainty about his future

Whilst Celtic have been in great form domestically since their return from the winter break, one of their players has really struggled, from an individual point of view.

Mohamed Elyounoussi, who is currently on a season-long loan at Celtic from Southampton, hasn’t registered a single goal or assist since the start of January, a run of form that has coincided with Neil Lennon switching up his preferred formation.

There has been some speculation about where the Norwegian’s future may lie and speaking exclusively to Read Celtic, former Hoops winger and first-team coach Alan Thompson said that Elyounoussi’s worries about his future could be impacting his form.

Thompson, who knows what it’s like to play at a club on loan having spent time with Leeds on a temporary basis back in 2007, shortly before he made a permanent switch to Elland Road, said it’s never easy for a player to fully focus on the job in hand when he has one eye on his potential next move.

It’s always difficult with loan players. They can read the papers all the time, or be on the internet or whatever, and they’ll see Celtic linked with this player or that player. So when [Elyounoussi’s] form is dipping, he might see [Celtic] linked with other players, with different names getting mentioned, but he’s just got to be strong.

Thompson advised Elyounoussi to forget about his future for now and instead, focus on getting back into good form, suggesting that the forward will have time to make any decisions about a potential transfer at the end of the season.

He’s just got to get back on the goal trail and then see where that leads him in the summer, whether that’s back to Southampton or if that’s to Celtic Park.