Martin O’Neill Explains Haissem Hassan's Omission in Celtic's Cup Defeat

Martin O’Neill has revealed that an “overnight problem” was behind his decision to leave Haissem Hassan out of Celtic’s starting XI in the 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

The winger’s omission raised eyebrows before the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final on Sunday. Fresh from an impressive display in the 1-0 midweek win over St Johnstone, Hassan looked a certainty to start. He had created Mika Baur’s winner and then saw a goal of his own controversially ruled out. Momentum was with him. Then came team-sheet shock.

Instead, Sebastian Tounekti got the nod from the first whistle, with Hassan left among the substitutes as Celtic slipped out of the Scottish League Cup.

Speaking after the loss, O’Neill explained that events on the eve of the derby forced his hand.

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

The decision had already been put to him before kick-off, when the Celtic manager hinted that the ferocity of the occasion also played a part in his thinking.

“Yeah, I think that he will be on the field of play without doubt,” O’Neill said when asked about Hassan’s role.

“I think sometimes maybe just have a little look at the fixture itself, you know, the intensity of all of those particular things.”

In the end, Celtic left Ibrox well beaten, their cup run halted and one of their brightest recent performers reduced to a supporting role after a sleepless night.