Haissem Hassan named on Celtic bench for Scottish League Cup debut

Egypt international Haissem Hassan was included among Celtic’s substitutes for the first match of his new club career against Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup.

Hassan joined Celtic from Real Oviedo only a few days ago and was named on the bench for their opening fixture since completing the move to Scotland. He did not start the match, but his inclusion means he could make his first appearance for the club during the cup tie.

Celtic’s next major test will come against Austrian side LASK in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday. The Scottish champions are hoping Hassan can be registered in time to be part of the squad for that match.

The winner of the two-legged tie will progress to the league phase of the Champions League, making the fixture an important early target for Celtic as they begin their European campaign.

Hassan has signed a four-year contract with Celtic that runs until the summer of 2030. Sky Sports previously reported that the transfer was completed for a fee of £6m, with a further £3m in potential bonuses.

Celtic have made a strong start to the new Scottish Premiership season and sit top of the table with six points from their opening two matches. Their meeting with Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup comes as they continue to build momentum domestically before turning their focus to Europe.

Hassan arrives at Celtic after helping Real Oviedo earn promotion to Spain’s top flight. However, the club returned to the second tier after only one season in La Liga.

The 2025-26 campaign was Hassan’s final season with Real Oviedo. He played 38 matches for the club, registering three assists but failing to score.

The winger has also represented Egypt on the international stage. He played in two matches for his country during the 2026 World Cup and provided an assist against Argentina. He also contributed to another goal in an impressive piece of play, although the effort was subsequently ruled out following a review by video assistant referee technology.

Celtic’s decision to place Hassan on the bench for the Dundee United match gives him an early opportunity to adapt to his new surroundings and compete for a place in the team. The club will now assess whether he can be included in the squad for the Champions League play-off first leg against LASK, with a place in the competition’s league phase at stake.