AWAY DAY DEBUT

Mohamed Elyounoussi on throwing himself into the Glasgow derby, and preparing for his first trip to Ibrox

- JOE DONNELLY

“I THINK everyone in the world appreciates the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers,” reckons Mohamed Elyounoussi, “but I don’t think you fully understand it until you’re directly involved in it – as a player, a manager or a supporter.”

Since signing a season-long loan deal at Paradise on August 30, Mohamed Elyounoussi has seen Celtic win once at Ibrox in the league, and once at Hampden to successfully defend the League Cup for a fourth consecutive year.

Despite losing 2-1 to their city rivals at Celtic Park before the turn of the year, the Treble Treble champions have been relentless in 2020 – undefeated domestically, and having forged an impressive 13-point lead at the top of the Premiership ahead of Sunday’s encounter.

Just in the door before the Hoops’ last trip across town, the Norwegian didn’t feature in Neil Lennon’s matchday squad back in September. He then played 45 minutes before succumbing to injury in the League Cup final at Hampden, and, as such, didn’t feature at all in the final derby of last decade.

Still, the 25-year-old midfielder has been wowed by the electric atmosphere that envelopes each clash wherever it’s played.

“In the League Cup final, I played 45 minutes with a broken toe,” said Elyounoussi in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “I was delighted that we won that game, the derby, and the cup, even if it wasn’t exactly ideal for me from an injury perspective!