Sebastian Tounekti’s involvement at the Africa Cup of Nations has been confirmed, with the winger set to join up with Tunisia later this month and miss a stretch of Celtic’s winter schedule.
Tounekti is the second player from the Parkhead ranks selected for the tournament, following Michel-Ange Balikwisha’s inclusion for DR Congo after his recent change of international allegiance.
The timing is tight but workable for Celtic in the short term. AFCON regulations require clubs to release players by December 15, meaning Tounekti remains eligible for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren.
Once that showpiece is over, however, he will head straight to national-team duty and will not return for several weeks.
Tounekti’s departure means he will sit out league matches against Dundee United, Aberdeen, Livingston and Motherwell.
With Tunisia’s final group match falling on December 30, the derby against Rangers on January 3 almost certainly arrives too soon for him to be involved. Even if Tunisia fail to progress from the group, it is standard for returning players to receive a short period of rest after international competition, delaying any potential comeback.
This run of fixtures is not an easy one to navigate without depth on the flanks, particularly given how Nancy has begun to reshape the side.
Tounekti was recently used as a wing-back in the home defeat to Hearts, asked to contribute both defensively and in the build-up play during a performance that highlighted the manager’s desire to stretch the pitch. His substitution just after the hour left Celtic lighter in wide areas on the day, reinforcing how much faith Nancy had placed in him early on.
Balikwisha’s absence already removed one natural option in wide areas. Tounekti’s call-up cuts the numbers further and forces the manager to rethink his set-up through a demanding spell that features European football and a cup final.
With injuries elsewhere also influencing selection, the loss of a versatile wide player complicates the picture as Celtic attempt to keep their domestic form steady.
Nancy has stressed the importance of clarity and structure since stepping into the role, but disruption has followed him into the job.
Tounekti’s international recognition is a credit to his development since arriving from Hammarby, yet for Celtic it represents another hurdle.
What had looked like a straightforward rotation option now becomes a gap that needs filled, and Nancy must identify the right combination to carry the team through the festive schedule while one of his emerging wide players serves his country on the biggest stage in African football.
This is not a blow, its a bonus.