Haythem Hassan starts fourth successive match for Celtic against St Johnstone

Haythem Hassan has been named in Celtic’s starting line-up for their rearranged Scottish league fixture away to St Johnstone, making it the fourth consecutive match in which the 24-year-old has started.

The match was originally scheduled as part of the third round of the Scottish league season but is being played at a later date, with Celtic travelling to face St Johnstone.

Hassan has now been selected from the beginning in each of Celtic’s past three league matches. His inclusion against St Johnstone extends that sequence to four successive starts and represents another opportunity for the Egyptian to establish himself in the team.

The winger has made five appearances for Celtic so far this season. Three of those have come in the league, while he has also played once in the League Cup and featured in the first leg of a Champions League qualifying-round tie.

His run of starts has therefore been confined to league matches, with the St Johnstone fixture becoming his fourth consecutive appearance in the starting XI in that competition. Celtic’s decision to select him again underlines his current involvement in the side as they continue their league campaign.

Hassan joined Celtic during the summer transfer window from Spanish club Real Oviedo. The 24-year-old is the only player from the Egyptian footballing background mentioned in the squad details for this fixture and has been involved across domestic and European competition since moving to Scotland.

Celtic begin the match at the top of the Scottish league table with 15 points. St Johnstone occupy seventh place on seven points, leaving an eight-point gap between the teams before kick-off.

The fixture gives Celtic the chance to build on their position at the summit, while St Johnstone will be looking to improve their standing from seventh. Hassan’s continued presence in the starting line-up is one of the main selection points before the game, following three successive league starts.

His participation this season has so far been spread across five matches: three in the league, one in the League Cup and one in the first leg of the Champions League qualifying round. Starting against St Johnstone means he has now begun four matches in a row, all in league competition.

The away fixture is the delayed meeting from the third round, and Celtic arrive as league leaders with 15 points. St Johnstone, with seven points, start the game in seventh position.