Mohamed Elyounoussi has assured Neil Lennon he’s in the safest possible hands with Norway.
The Celtic attacker will be amongst the throng of Parkhead stars who head out of the club again next week to link-up with their respective international teams.
Lennon’s squad was decimated after the last set of national-team fixtures with Odsonne Edouard, Nir Bitton and Hatem Elhamed all returning positive Covid tests while on duty.
Ryan Christie was also forced to self isolate after being sent out of the Scotland camp having been deemed a close contact to Stuart Armstrong, who contracted the virus.
Elyounoussi and compatriot Kristoffer Ajer are within that bulky group set to go away this time around having both been included in Norway’s squad for their Nations League away matches in Romania and Austria.
The on-loan Southampton star accepts it’s always a risk to travel during the pandemic, but is adamant he’ll continue to fiercely follow club guidelines and also that his national-team medical department are thorough in their protocols and approach.
Elyounoussi said: “I feel safe every time I go to international duty with Norway and I’m sure that the other countries will be doing things as well as Norway.
“These are strange times for everyone and it’s always a risk when you are travelling abroad.
“But, when we are away with the national team, everyone around us does their best to make sure we are all safe and there are protocols in place.
"I’m pleased by that because it’s always a privilege to represent your country.
“For the next international break we have guidance and so far everything has been okay.”
Lennon has confirmed that Celtic will work with associations across the continent to help safeguard their on-duty players.
The club even hired a private jet to get keeper Vasilis Barkas back to Glasgow in time to face Rangers last month after an airport strike in Greece.
Despite the setbacks of losing Edouard, Bitton, Christie and Elhamed, Lennon admitted he would never attempt to deny or prevent any player from having the honour of representing their country.
Elyounoussi is grateful for his gaffer’s outlook and said: “Of course I am very proud to play for my country and I am happy to hear that from the manager.”
The attacker accepts losing the four players after the last international break was a blow.
But he said: “Things like that can happen, but we have a strong and big squad and we can replace people with others who will give 100 per cent.
“Yes we have been unlucky with some of our players. Hopefully nobody will get affected by Covid-19 next time.”
