Celtic chiefs are set to step up manager hunt during international break and Tounekti is confident the Hoops will hit their targets
Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill (R) and Coach Mark Fotheringham (L) during a William Hill Premiership match between St Mirren and Hibernian at the SMiSA Stadium
Sebastian Tounekti believes Martin O’Neill’s lasting gift to Celtic has been giving players the courage to hunt down Hearts.
The Parkhead winger says interim boss O’Neill has been a breath of fresh air since he arrived a fortnight ago. And he insists Celtic’s mid-season managerial upheaval won’t derail their bid to claw back Hearts’ lead at the top.
Parkhead chiefs will step up their hunt for a new boss this week with Tounekti’s former gaffer at Bodo/Glimt Kjetil Knutsen among the frontrunners. Also in the frame are Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy and Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna.
Before then, O’Neill will take charge again as Kilmarnock visit Parkhead this afternoon before the international break.
Celtic are looking to bounce back from Thursday’s Europa League flop against Midtjylland to keep tabs on runaway leaders Hearts, who could go 12 points clear for an hour if they defeat Dundee United at Tynecastle in the earlier kick-off.
Despite the gap Tounekti – who won two Norwegian titles under Knutsen – remains confident Celtic will finish on top.
Celtic’s Sebastian Tounekti in action
But he insists the Hoops can’t allow the turmoil that followed Brendan Rodgers’ departure to become a distraction.
He said: “It’s been difficult for everyone. Brendan was a great coach and did really well here.
“As a player you just have to keep moving forward. It’s the business we are in – anything can happen and now we just have to look forward.
“When you play for Celtic you want to win every game. Of course we wanted to be first and to lead the league.
“Now we are behind and are chasing. I still think we will do well. It’s early days and there are so many games left.
“We have to keep going and keep fighting. I’m sure we will end up doing well this season.”
Knutsen was linked with the Parkhead job when Ange Postecoglou left in 2023 and is now the bookies’ favourite to succeed Rodgers.
But if the 57-year-old is to end his nine-year association with Bodo it might not be before their Champions League bid is over in January at the earliest.
Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Until then O’Neill and Shaun Maloney remain in interim charge. And Tounekti is making the most of his chance to learn from former Parkhead winger Maloney and build on his impressive start to life in Glasgow.
The 23-year-old scored his first goal in front of home fans against Falkirk last month.
And, despite a reality check in Denmark, the Tunisia star says O’Neill and Maloney have ensured the Hoops haven’t lost belief.
He said: “From the first day he (O’Neill) gave us motivation and the courage to believe we are a great team with great players.
“He has motivated us a lot. You can see the history he has and he knows so much about the game.
“I have also spoken a lot with Shaun who played in my position. I’ve had great tips from both of them to bring it into my game.”