Celtic’s New Egyptian Hope: Haitham Hassan in Europa League

UEFA turned up the volume again on Friday. Barely hours after the drama of the Champions League draw, the Europa League league phase took centre stage, and the atmosphere crackled all over again.

This season’s competition will not ease anyone in gently. The draw has thrown heavyweight names together from the off, with early clashes set to shape the race for the trophy long before spring arrives.

Celtic’s new Egyptian hope

Once more, there is a clear Egyptian footprint on the European map. Attention now swings to Haitham Hassan, the young Egyptian talent who joined Celtic in the summer and is about to taste continental football for the first time in the famous green and white.

His introduction could hardly be more demanding.

Celtic’s path is as glamorous as it is unforgiving. Eight league-phase fixtures await against a blend of traditions, tactics and temperaments: Olympique Marseille, Benfica, Ferencvaros, Union Saint-Gilloise, Celta Vigo, Omonia, Besiktas and Utrecht.

It is a schedule that barely allows time to breathe. Historic forces like Marseille, Benfica and Besiktas bring deep European pedigree and expectation. Around them circle ambitious clubs eager to upset reputations and rip up predictions.

In the middle of that storm stand Haitham Hassan and his Celtic teammates, staring at a genuine examination of their level. Survive this gauntlet, and they will not just prove they belong. They will earn the right to chase a place in the knockout rounds with real conviction.