Haitham Hassan faces uncertain Celtic future after being dropped from Kilmarnock clash

Egyptian international Haitham Hassan is facing an uncertain period at Celtic after struggling to make the desired impact since joining the Scottish giants, with questions beginning to emerge over his performances, attitude and standing within the team.

The 23-year-old is yet to find the back of the net for the Scottish Premiership outfit and is still searching for consistency as he attempts to establish himself as an important member of Martin O’Neill’s squad.

His situation has attracted further attention following his omission from Celtic’s squad for their Scottish Premiership encounter against Kilmarnock last Sunday, a decision that has raised questions about his relationship with the coaching staff.

O’Neill offered little clarification regarding the Egyptian’s absence, explaining only that competition for places within the squad influenced his selection decisions.

However, comments from former Celtic midfielder Peter Grant have added another dimension to the situation, with the former Scotland international suggesting that Hassan may have been unhappy with his limited involvement during the club’s Europa League meeting with Besiktas.

Hassan was reportedly disappointed with the short playing time he received against the Turkish side, with Grant questioning whether the winger’s reaction to being introduced late in the encounter could have contributed to his subsequent exclusion.

Speaking to the Scottish newspaper Daily Record, Grant expressed uncertainty over whether the Egyptian had suffered an injury before the Kilmarnock fixture.

“With Young and Jota back, we have to ask: What about Haitham Hassan? Was he injured before the Kilmarnock game?” he questioned.

Grant admitted he could not establish whether Hassan had picked up an injury against Besiktas but suggested that the player’s reaction after his brief appearance was worth examining.

He further pointed to O’Neill’s post-match comments following the Kilmarnock encounter, arguing that the Celtic manager’s explanation did not suggest that the Egyptian was sidelined through injury.

Grant also expressed disappointment with what he perceived as Hassan’s reaction after the Besiktas match, claiming that the winger did not join his teammates in celebrating with supporters following their victory.

According to the former Celtic star, such behaviour would be unacceptable if it reflected frustration over limited playing opportunities, insisting that players must put collective interests ahead of individual disappointment.

He consequently backed O’Neill’s decision to leave Hassan out of the squad, arguing that disciplinary standards and team unity must be maintained regardless of a player’s status.

Grant also questioned Hassan’s overall contribution, suggesting that the Egyptian has not offered enough in attacking situations or demonstrated the required commitment to defensive responsibilities.

He contrasted the winger’s situation with that of Kasper Høgh, who impressed him with his work rate and commitment during the victory over Kilmarnock, particularly his willingness to press opponents and contribute defensively.

The former midfielder believes such qualities are essential for players hoping to secure regular opportunities under O’Neill, especially with competition for attacking positions increasing following the return of other players, including Jota and Young.

For Hassan, the immediate challenge will be to convince the Celtic technical team that he deserves a more prominent role in the squad. Having yet to register a goal for the club, the Egyptian international will need to translate his opportunities into tangible contributions if he hopes to silence the growing criticism.

While O’Neill has not publicly confirmed that disciplinary concerns influenced his decision, Hassan’s omission has placed additional pressure on the winger as he looks to revive his Celtic career and secure regular playing time.