Haissem Hassan's Omission Explained by Martin O’Neill

Martin O’Neill has revealed that an “overnight problem” cost Haissem Hassan his place in Celtic’s starting XI for the 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

The winger’s absence from the line-up for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final raised eyebrows before a ball was kicked, especially after his influential display in midweek. Hassan had been one of Celtic’s brightest performers in the 1-0 win over St Johnstone, creating Mika Baur’s decisive goal and seeing a strike of his own controversially chalked off.

Given that form, many expected him to keep his place. Instead, Sebastian Tounekti was handed a start in Govan, with Hassan left on the bench.

Only after the final whistle did O’Neill spell out why.

“Young Hassan had an overnight problem, and he didn’t get much sleep in all honesty,” the Celtic manager said, speaking via Scottish Sun. “So it was just a matter of not starting him because of that. That’s the reason, really.”

The decision became a talking point long before O’Neill fronted up post-match. Asked about Hassan’s omission ahead of kick-off, he hinted that the ferocity of an Ibrox derby also played a part in his thinking.

“Yeah, I think that he will be on the field of play without doubt,” O’Neill replied when quizzed on the winger. “I think sometimes maybe just have a little look at the fixture itself, you know, the intensity of all of those particular things.”

So a sleepless night, mixed with the raw demands of a Rangers–Celtic clash, left one of Celtic’s form players watching the opening stages from the sidelines as their cup run came to a shuddering halt.