GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - APRIL 11: Celtic huddle ahead of kick off during the William Hill Premiership between Celtic and St. Mirren at Celtic Park on April 11, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Martin O’Neill has provided some extra detail on Haissem Hassan’s absence from the Celtic side that started at Ibrox on Sunday.
The winger assisted for the only goal of the game at St Johnstone four days earlier and was unfortunate to see his own effort disallowed.
Hassan seemed certain to start the match at Ibrox but when the team was announced he was on the bench.
At half-time with Celtic trailing 1-0 the Egyptian replaced Sebastian Tounekti.
The response was almost instant. Hassan went on a 30 yard run down the wing, was fouled with Olwethu Makhanya booked.
Questioned after the match about Tounekti starting O’Neill referenced a sleeping issue for Hassan.
Whatever the issue he looked fine at 1pm for the second half despite being left out of the starting line up.
Looking to the Europa League tie against Ferencvaros The Sun reports O’Neill saying:
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.
O’NEILL FACES HUGE FOUR DAYS PERIOD
It would be a major surprise if Hassan doesn’t start the match against Ferencvaros.
The disappointment on Sunday went beyond a defeat and the score-line.
Nothing went right for Celtic, just like in the away defeat to LASK once the Austrian side had equalised.
What should Celtic Fans Collective do with Not Another Penny?
CONTINUE- This is the main way to protest
SUSPEND- Let us see what Celtic Connect produces
ABANDON- No longer required or useful
Celtic need a victory against Ferencvaros for various reasons.
Sunday’s Glasgow Derby is shaping up as pivotal to the way that the SPFL season plays out. Match seven is a genuine six pointer.
Currently leading their city rivals by five points, extending that on Sunday would switch the domestic pressure onto Derek McInnes.
Sunday will be McInnes’ first visit to Celtic Park since taking Hearts there in May for the SPFL title decider.
Going into that match with three Europa League points will make the pressure a little less than with one or zero.
Following the international break Celtic have a testing eight day period of trips to Motherwell and Benfica before hosting Hearts.
Ma sleep patterns are done in for Sunday already Martin !