Haitham Hassan named among Celtic substitutes for LASK Champions League qualifier

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has named Haitham Hassan among the substitutes for the second leg of the club’s Champions League qualifying tie against Austrian side LASK.

Celtic take a 3-0 advantage into the return fixture after recording a convincing victory in the first leg at Celtic Park in Scotland.

Hassan is on the bench for the third consecutive match since joining the Scottish champions during the summer transfer window. The 21-year-old has yet to start a game for Celtic, but has already featured twice as a substitute.

He came on in the 83rd minute of the first meeting with LASK, after Celtic had established their commanding lead. Hassan’s other appearance came in the second round of the Scottish Cup, when Celtic beat Dundee United 4-0. He played 19 minutes in that match.

The winger joined Celtic from Spanish club Real Oviedo during the summer. He signed a four-year contract with the Scottish champions, which runs until the summer of 2030.

Celtic are the current Scottish Premiership champions after a closely fought title race with Hearts that went down to the final round of the competition. Their domestic success secured their place in the Champions League qualifying rounds, with the club now seeking to complete the job against LASK and move into the league phase.

The second-leg matches in the qualifying rounds will decide the remaining places in the Champions League league phase. Celtic’s three-goal advantage gives them a strong position before the tie is concluded, although qualification will only be confirmed once the return fixture has been completed.

The draw for the Champions League league phase is scheduled to take place on Thursday, 27 August at 18:00. It will be held after all of the clubs progressing through the qualifying rounds have been determined.

For Hassan, the match provides another opportunity to make an impact after his move to Scotland. He has so far been introduced late in games, including his appearance against LASK in the first leg and his 19-minute contribution against Dundee United.

Celtic’s starting line-up for the return match is led by the attacking options selected by O’Neill, while Hassan will begin the game as a substitute. His involvement continues to mark the early stages of his career with the Scottish champions, following his transfer from Real Oviedo and the signing of a contract keeping him at the club until 2030.