Celtic worry as Pharaons Haissem Hassan starts despite injury claim

Celtic were taken aback on Friday evening when Les Pharaons Haissem Hassan was named in Egypt's starting eleven, even though his national team coach had previously ruled him out with an injury.

Later, a brief update from the Egyptian side suggested the winger had indeed suffered a problem, prompting former striker Hossam Hassan to say the 24‑year‑old required "intensive treatment" and could not join the squad.

Hassan starts for Egypt

Contrary to that warning, Hassan took the field alongside Mohamed Salah against Angola, playing roughly an hour in a goalless draw.

The episode inevitably raises questions about the exact nature of the ailment that seemed to force a withdrawal only hours earlier.

For Celtic, the priority is that the winger is now fit enough to feature in competitive international fixtures, and manager Martin O’Neill hopes he returns without further issues before the club's Premiership clash with Motherwell.

O’Neill noted Hassan's debut in Glasgow was underwhelming, but expects the player to regain form and help lift the team's recent poor performances.

Celtic are also monitoring the condition of Yang Hyun‑jun, who confirmed a hamstring injury sustained while representing South Korea.