Southampton winger Mohammed Elyounoussi set to extend Celtic loan deal for another year

Mohamed Elyououssi expressed his delight after signing a new one-year loan deal with Celtic on Tuesday night

However, the SPFL champions have suffered a set-back in their quest to land goalkeeper Fraser Forster from Southampton after boss Ralph Hasenhutl told the England international he wants him to fight for his place.

Celtic were keen make it a Saints double after tying up Elyounoussi for another 12 months. 

Celtic are set to extend the loan deal of Mohammed Elyounoussi (left) for another year

Elyounoussi spent last season on loan from Southampton and has rejected a move to Real Betis

The Norwegian international spent last season at Parkhead, scoring seven goals in 20 appearances.

And, despite rival interest from Real Betis, the 25-year-old opted to return to Glasgow rather than move to Spain after fans begged him to return.

‘I’m very happy,’ he told Celtic TV. ‘It’s a proud moment for myself and my family. We’re very happy in Glasgow.

‘I enjoyed my first year here. I enjoy working with the coaching staff and the players, everyone at the club, so it was an easy choice really.

‘Since the league stopped, I got a lot of positive messages from fans. They told me what they thought about me, and for me to take another year, and I have to say, that made the choice even easier.

‘It’s hard to say no when you get so many messages and feedback – love from the fans, and obviously I will try to give something back. The fans, of course, are one of the reasons why I’m staying here another year.’

Elyounoussi made a significant impact before his season was curtailed by injury.

Robbed of the chance to celebrate a title triumph by coronavirus he now wants to go the distance in the quest to secure ten-in-a-row.

Celtic are also pressing Southampton for the future of on-loan goalkeeper Fraser Forster

‘It is an interesting season ahead, and I think I can do more than what I did last season.

‘Obviously, the injury stopped everything for me, so I will try to give even more from myself this year.

‘In the end, I just want to talk with my feet. Me and the boys have been working hard in the break. The physical coaches have been doing exceptional work to give us work at home, and we’ve been training well, and now that we’re back training. It’s been good and we’re looking forward for the season to start.

‘It’s maybe one of the biggest seasons in the history of Celtic, so no pressure!

‘But we’re looking forward to it. We’ve been working really hard and I’m sure all the other teams in the league have been working hard to try to stop us. But we’re going to give everything. I hope that we can play the games with our fans as soon as possible, because with their help, hopefully we can achieve something great.’

Hopes of luring Forster back to Glasgow have taken a dent, however, with Southampton keen to pit the 32-year-old against Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn for the chance to be number one.

The former England keeper is the first choice to return to Celtic either on loan, or via a permanent deal if the price is right.

And while Southampton could still be willing to let Forster leave on loan later in the window, Celtic must decide if they can afford to wait that long – or move on to other targets before three friendly games in France in the middle of this month.

Scotland number one David Marshall features on a shortlist of alternative options for a Parkhead return, but would command a fee with 12 months left on his Wigan contract. Celtic have also looked into a deal for former England keeper Joe Hart.