Martin O’Neill has provided further insight into why Haissem Hassan was left out of Celtic’s starting line-up for the trip to Ibrox, despite appearing likely to start the highly anticipated fixture.
The winger had been in positive form heading into the match after playing an important role in Celtic’s previous outing against St Johnstone. Hassan provided the assist for Celtic’s only goal four days before the Ibrox clash and also saw an effort ruled out during the match.
Given his contribution and his recent performances, there was an expectation that the Egyptian would be included from the beginning against Rangers. However, when Celtic’s starting XI was announced, Hassan’s name was missing, with the winger named among the substitutes instead.
His absence from the starting line-up immediately attracted attention, particularly because Celtic were facing one of their biggest domestic matches of the season. Sebastian Tounekti was selected ahead of him, leaving supporters questioning why Hassan had not been given the nod.
O’Neill later provided an explanation, initially referring to an issue surrounding Hassan’s sleep.
The decision became even more noticeable when Celtic went into half-time trailing 1-0. O’Neill turned to Hassan at the interval, bringing him on for Tounekti as Celtic looked for a way back into the game.
The change almost immediately gave Celtic an attacking outlet.
Hassan quickly demonstrated the energy and directness that had made him an important option for O’Neill. Soon after coming onto the pitch, he collected the ball and embarked on a powerful run of around 30 yards down the wing.
His progress was stopped by a foul, with Rangers defender Olwethu Makhanya receiving a yellow card for the challenge.
The immediate impact of Hassan’s introduction inevitably raised further questions about why he had not started the match in the first place, particularly with Celtic needing an attacking spark.
O’Neill’s comments after the game suggested that the decision had been influenced by circumstances affecting Hassan away from football.
Further details have now emerged ahead of Celtic’s Europa League meeting with Ferencvaros.
According to The Sun, O’Neill explained that Hassan had been forced to leave the team hotel because of matters that had happened at home. That, in turn, disrupted the winger’s normal sleeping routine and influenced the decision over whether he should start at Ibrox.
O’Neill says;
“He had to leave the hotel due to things that happened at home. His sleep patterns were done-for in that sense. We decided not to start him in the game.”
The explanation provides additional context surrounding what had initially appeared to be a tactical decision.
Despite not starting, Hassan was eventually introduced at half-time and looked capable of contributing immediately. His involvement in the second half also demonstrated that O’Neill still trusted him to make an impact despite the circumstances that had affected his preparation.
Attention will now turn towards the Europa League clash with Ferencvaros, where Hassan is expected to come back into serious consideration for a starting position.
With Celtic needing a positive result in Europe, O’Neill faces an important period over the next few days. The Ferencvaros fixture provides an opportunity for the team to respond after a disappointing afternoon at Ibrox and restore some momentum.
The defeat against Rangers was damaging not only because of the scoreline but also because of Celtic’s overall performance. Very little went according to plan for O’Neill’s side, with the team struggling to establish control during important periods of the match.
The result also brought back memories of Celtic’s away defeat to LASK, where the game changed after the Austrian side found an equaliser.
O’Neill now has very little time to dwell on the Ibrox disappointment. The Europa League fixture is followed by another crucial domestic encounter, with Celtic preparing to face their city rivals again on Sunday.
That Glasgow derby could prove significant in the wider SPFL title race.
Celtic currently hold a five-point advantage over Rangers, meaning another positive result would allow O’Neill’s side to increase the gap and place additional pressure on Derek McInnes and his team.
For Rangers, the match will also carry considerable importance, particularly with McInnes preparing for his first visit to Celtic Park since taking Hearts there in May for the SPFL title decider.
For O’Neill, securing three Europa League points before that domestic showdown would provide a much-needed boost. A victory against Ferencvaros would give Celtic renewed confidence going into another demanding fixture, while a disappointing result would increase the pressure surrounding the team.
The schedule does not become any easier after the international break.
Celtic face an eight-day stretch that includes difficult trips to Motherwell and Benfica before returning to Celtic Park to host Hearts.
That sequence of matches could test the depth of O’Neill’s squad and the manager’s ability to rotate his players effectively.
For Hassan, the immediate focus will be on returning to the starting XI and putting the disruption surrounding his preparation behind him.
If he is selected against Ferencvaros, his performance could provide an important attacking boost for Celtic as O’Neill looks to rebuild momentum following the disappointment at Ibrox.
The winger has already shown that he can change the tempo of a match, and his second-half introduction on Sunday provided a reminder of what he can offer when given the opportunity.
With a demanding run of fixtures approaching, O’Neill will need his attacking options available and ready. Hassan’s situation now appears clearer, with the Celtic manager offering more detail on the circumstances that affected his preparation for the Ibrox clash.
The attention now shifts to Ferencvaros, with Celtic looking for a response and Hassan potentially set to play a much bigger role.
