Celtic midfielder Mohamed Elyounoussi expressed disappointment following Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Livingston at the Tony Macaroni Arena. Despite hitting the Hoops’ first of the evening, the Norwegian said that without securing victory, personal accolades mean little.

From here, Elyounoussi believes togetherness is essential during what he described as a tough time for everyone associated with the club.

“We were disappointed,” said Elyounoussi. “We conceded a really cheap goal and then we came back to 2-1, but we couldn’t kill the game and finish it off. When they scored to make it 2-2 and then we got a man sent off, that made it a little bit more difficult. I think we created enough chances to win the game, so we were disappointed when we didn’t.

“I think everyone needs to take their share of responsibility and look at themselves in the mirror. Everyone can improve. You could say everyone could put more effort in but I don’t think that’s the case, I think everyone is working hard at training, the intensity in training is high and we’re not doing anything differently this year compared to last year, so it’s just the small margins going against us.

'We’ve had too many draws. Too many games where we are up and concede late on, and that’s what’s killing us at the moment, we need to finish the games.'

“This season hasn’t been a normal one with the pandemic, but it’s the same for everyone, everyone is in the same situation and we have to be honest here. We cannot look for excuses. Everyone needs to pick themselves up, dig deeper and work hard. There’s always the next game and we keep looking forward and attack every game with positive.”

He added: “I think we as players need to take more responsibility as well. It’s easy to criticise the gaffer, it’s always like that when things aren’t going well. If we look at him and the rest of the coaching staff, they’re working really hard, day and night, and that makes me disappointed that we can’t turn it around for him and, obviously, the fans.

“I feel for the manager, to come out after the game and to be required to talk about another draw. People are coming after him, but he must be one of the strongest guys I’ve ever met.

'He’s a strong guy and he’s working hard for us, and we still have belief in him.'

“For him to receive criticism, that’s part of the game, but, again, he must be one of the strongest guys I’ve ever met. One thing is for sure. He’s working really hard and he’s pushing us to our limits. We need to respond to that and we need to give him more.

“Again, I think we need to take more responsibility as well, it’s not always on the coaches, we need to dig in deeper and fight more for the points. There is still a lot of games left to play, so we need to keep looking forward.

“I don’t mean any disrespect but I don’t care about scoring goals if we don’t win the games. It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t give me anything, to be honest.

“This is a team sport, we are all part of this and we need to stick together even more than before. When I look to my left and to my right, to the players around me, we have a lot of quality here. We just need to get it out on the pitch.

"I see it every day in training, I see it every day from the coaching staff, how much they push us. It’s way too easy to go for the manager, I think he does a brilliant job and the motivation he gives us before and after games in great. We stick up for each other – him for us and we need to give more for him.”

Moi Elyounoussi on responsibility, togetherness and improvement