Mohamed Elyounoussi managed seven goals and six assists in all competitions for Celtic last season and his performances convinced the Bhoys to sign him again on loan from Southampton in the summer.
The winger has already matched last season’s goalscoring tally this term and has enjoyed a good start to the campaign.
Neil Lennon started the Saints owned player in the Hoops’ 4-1 Europa League defeat to Sparta Prague at home on Thursday. He was replaced by Leigh Griffiths in the 59th minute.
The Norway international was then caught using his phone on the bench, which did not go down well with his manager. Lennon said he will “deal” with the 26-year-old after he was shown the images.
Elyounoussi isn’t pleased with his behaviour and admitted he has already spoken to his manager regarding the incident.
“First of all: This is unacceptable from me. I have talked to both the coach and the captain, and the case is dead between us,” he told VG.
The player also explained why he took the phone out during Celtic’s European tie, and stressed he is ready to face the consequences for his action.
“The phone is just a little out of the pocket. I have notifications from Milan-Lille match, i.e., the other match from our group, and I wanted to check the result of that match,” Elyounoussi explained.
“Either way, it’s stupid of me to put myself in that situation. I lie flat and take the punishment I might get.”
Whether Lennon and Celtic will hand any punishment to Elyounoussi remains to be seen.
