Intensive treatment- Celtic hit with international injury blow

Celtic winger Haissem Hassan has been ruled out of international action by Egypt and is reported to be receiving intensive treatment.

The nature of the injury hasn’t been revealed but Celtic will be hoping that it isn’t another hamstring issue.

Last season the club was dogged by hamstring injuries with Alistair Johnston, Kelechi Iheanacho and Marcelo Saracchi especially affected.

Johnston has suffered a recurrence this season with Callum Osmand pictured in a moon-boot after a brief substitute appearance against Falkirk.

Celtic have multiple other issues to deal with but news on Hassan is another reminder of the pitfalls of international football.

The Glasgow Times reports Egypt boss Hossam Hassan saying:

Haissem Hassan is receiving intensive treatment just now But I am not worried about his absence because we have a lot of excellent players to replace him.

Haissem is a vital technical asset for our long-term vision, but his recent injury made it impossible for him to join us for this camp.

We prioritise player health and full physical recovery above all else and we expect him back once he is 100 per cent fit.

We cannot halt our progress or make excuses because of injuries.

The secret to our success lies in navigating these difficulties, and I assure everyone that the team are fully ready.

Celtic aren’t back in action until two weeks on Sunday which gives them plenty of time to assess the injury to Hassan.

CELTIC FIXTURE LIST INCLUDING THREE EUROPA LEAGUE TIES

That October 11 trip to Motherwell kicks off a very busy period of fixtures.

Celtic follow that with a Europa League trip to Benfica then host Hearts on October 11.

The fixtures are unrelenting through until the November international break starting on November 8.

On the back of the Benfica match Celtic host Celta Vigo and Beskitas as they try to recover form.

Having Hassan fit and available would be an obvious boost but like most things around the club this year Celtic fans have yet to see the best of the Egyptian winger.

Celtic paid Real Oviedo a fee reported to vary between £6-9m for Hassan two matches into the season.

Away to LASK and in both Glasgow Derbies he started on the bench.

Celtic have just over two weeks to have a reset after losing four of the five major matches played this season. Even the victory in that run, at home to LASK was quickly wiped out in the return leg.

Since Sunday’s post match media activities there has been no news out of the club which suggests that Martin O’Neill is ready to get back to work early next week.