Key Points
- Celtic winger Haissem Hassan has withdrawn from international duty with the Egypt national team due to an unspecified injury.
- The 24-year-old summer signing is currently undergoing intensive medical treatment, ruling him out of Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Angola and South Sudan.
- Hassan becomes the second Celtic player, following Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney, to pull out of international fixtures due to fitness concerns.
- Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan stated that while the winger is a vital technical asset for the team’s long-term vision, player health and full physical recovery remain the utmost priority.
- The national team manager expressed confidence in his squad’s depth, noting that they have plenty of excellent players capable of covering the absence without making excuses.
Celtic (Glasgow Express) September 25, 2026 — Celtic Football Club have been struck by a fresh fitness setback after winger Haissem Hassan was forced to withdraw from international duty with Egypt, compounding the Scottish Premiership side’s growing injury list.
The 24-year-oid winger, who joined the Glasgow club during the summer transfer window from Spanish side Real Oviedo, was unable to link up with his national teammates ahead of their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Angola and South Sudan. Club and international medical staff confirmed that the player is currently sidelined while undergoing targeted medical care for an unspecified physical problem.
His withdrawal deals an untimely blow to Celtic manager Martin O’Neill, who is already navigating a testing period for his squad. Hassan’s omission from the international camp makes him the second high-profile Celtic player to drop out of national team commitments during this international window, following Scotland left-back Kieran Tierney.
What Did Egypt Head Coach Hossam Hassan Say Regarding the Injury?
Addressing the media regarding the winger’s physical status, Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan provided clarity on the situation while emphasising caution over the player’s long-term rehabilitation.
As reported by Ahram Online, head coach Hossam Hassan stated that
“Haissem Hassan is receiving intensive treatment just now.”
The national team manager elaborated on the decision to leave the attacker out of the squad, highlighting that the coaching staff refuse to rush players back before they are completely ready.
“Haissem is a vital technical asset for our long-term vision, but his recent injury made it impossible for him to join us for this camp,”
the head coach explained.
“We prioritise player health and full physical recovery above all else and we expect him back once he is 100 per cent fit.”
Despite losing the creative wide player, the national team manager maintained an optimistic stance regarding his squad’s overall depth and capacity to cope with setbacks.
“We cannot halt our progress or make excuses because of injuries. The secret to our success lies in navigating these difficulties, and I assure everyone that the team are fully ready,”
the manager added.
“But I am not worried about his absence because we have a lot of excellent players to replace him.”
How Does This Impact Celtic’s Domestic and European Campaign?
The timing of Haissem Hassan’s injury presents an anxious wait for Celtic supporters and technical staff alike. Having arrived at Celtic Park earlier in the window following a permanent transfer from Real Oviedo, the winger has been working to cement a regular place in the first-team setup.
With no definitive timeframe yet announced by medical teams regarding when the player will return to full training, his availability for Celtic’s upcoming domestic fixtures remains closely monitored. The club’s immediate focus turns toward their return to Scottish Premiership action, with a trip to face Motherwell pencilled in as the first major fixture following the conclusion of the international break.
While the exact nature of the injury has not been detailed publicly, the decision by Egypt’s medical staff to keep him out of high-intensity competitive matches suggests a cautious approach aimed at preventing a minor complaint from developing into a long-term absence. Celtic will evaluate the winger upon his return to Lennoxtown, hoping that the intensive treatment regime supervised during the international window successfully paves the way for a swift recovery.
Background of the Particular Development
The unfolding situation around Haissem Hassan reflects the intricate balancing act modern football clubs and national federations must perform amid increasingly congested match calendars. Hassan, born in France to an Egyptian father and Tunisian mother, chose to represent the Egypt national team at the senior level after previously featuring for France at youth international levels. His progression through clubs such as Châteauroux, Villarreal, Sporting Gijón, and Real Oviedo built his reputation as a dynamic, technically gifted winger renowned for progressive ball-carrying and dribbling metrics.
His high-profile move to Celtic in August 2026 was designed to inject further pace and creativity into the club’s attacking flanks. However, the physical demands of transitioning to Scottish football—combined with international travel and continental qualification fixtures—have placed a heavy burden on his physical conditioning, culminating in this current medical withdrawal.
Prediction
For Celtic supporters and the club’s coaching staff, this development highlights ongoing concerns regarding squad depth during a demanding segment of the season. If Hassan’s rehabilitation extends past the upcoming domestic fixtures, manager Martin O’Neill will be forced to rely heavily on alternative wide options to maintain attacking width and intensity.
Conversely, Egypt’s cautious management of the player’s fitness reduces the risk of long-term structural damage, ensuring that once the winger does return to the pitch, he is physically equipped to handle the rigorous demands of both club and international football. Ultimately, how quickly Hassan reintegrates into full training will dictate whether Celtic can seamlessly navigate their upcoming domestic challenges without losing ground at the top of the table.
