adminMartin O’Neill has explained that an overnight issue was behind his decision not to include Haissem Hassan in Celtic’s starting XI for their 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.
Hassan’s absence was one of the more unexpected selections ahead of Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup quarter-final, with Sebastian Tounekti chosen to start instead.
The winger had impressed in Celtic’s 1-0 midweek win over St Johnstone, providing the assist for Mika Baur’s winner before having a goal of his own controversially disallowed.
However, O’Neill has now revealed that Hassan had difficulty sleeping on the night before the derby and was consequently not deemed ready to start.
Speaking after the match, 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 asked about Hassan’s absence before kick-off and indicated that the intensity of the fixture had played a role in his decision.
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.”
admin
