Martin O’Neill lifts lid on late Hassan issue that altered Celtic plans for Rangers clash | OneFootball

Martin O’Neill has revealed an overnight problem was behind his decision not to start Haissem Hassan in Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

13th September 2026; Ibrox, Scottish League Cup, Rangers versus Celtic; Celtic manager Martin O’Neill. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

Hassan’s omission was one of the more surprising selections ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, with Sebastian Tounekti preferred from the start.

The winger had impressed in Celtic’s 1-0 midweek victory over St Johnstone, setting up Mika Baur’s winner before seeing a goal of his own controversially ruled out.

However, O’Neill has now explained that Hassan struggled to sleep on the eve of the derby and was therefore not considered ready to start.

Speaking after the game, O’Neill said via Scottish Sun: “Young Hassan had an overnight problem, and he didn’t get much sleep in all honesty, so it was just a matter of not starting him because of that. That’s the reason, really.”

O’Neill had also been questioned about Hassan’s absence before kick-off and suggested the intensity of the fixture had influenced his thinking.

He replied: “Yeah, I think that he will be on the field of play without doubt.

“I think sometimes maybe just have a little look at the fixture itself, you know, the intensity of all of those particular things.”

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