Key Points
- Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has expressed his confusion over manager Martin O’Neill’s decision to prefer Sebastian Tounekti ahead of Haissem Hassan in the matchday squad.
- Summer signing Haissem Hassan, who joined Celtic in a reported £6 million deal, was left out of the Hoops’ squad entirely during their 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock.
- Celtic manager Martin O’Neill explained following the match that the omission was strictly down to intense competition for places within the squad.
- Mulgrew questioned the tactical contribution of Tunisian winger Tounekti, arguing that Hassan offers significantly more creativity, directness, and attacking threat in wide positions.
- Former players and pundits continue to debate O’Neill’s team selection and squad management as Celtic navigate their domestic campaign.
Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) November 11, 2026 — Former Celtic defender Charlie Mulgrew has publicly questioned manager Martin O’Neill’s selection policy following the total exclusion of £6 million summer signing Haissem Hassan from the squad that secured a 1-0 win over Kilmarnock.
Why Was Haissem Hassan Omitted from the Celtic Squad?
As reported by Anthony Brown of The Terrace, former Hoops star Charlie Mulgrew admitted he was left baffled by the tactical setup and team selection choices made by Celtic manager Martin O’Neill ahead of the match. Hassan, a high-profile £6 million arrival during the summer transfer window, did not feature on the bench, whilst Sebastian Tounekti retained his inclusion in the matchday setup.
Addressing the media after the 1-0 victory against Kilmarnock, manager Martin O’Neill clarified that the decision to leave Hassan out was not due to disciplinary issues or injury, but was instead driven by internal competition for places across the squad.
However, as reported by Lewis Anderson of GlasgowWorld, Mulgrew voiced strong reservations regarding O’Neill’s continued reliance on Tounekti, questioning what the Tunisian winger delivers on the pitch compared to Hassan. Speaking on the Go Radio Football Show, Mulgrew stated:
“I continuously see Tounekti starting games for Celtic, and wonder why. I don’t think he offers anywhere near enough.”
Mulgrew further remarked:
“He must be doing something in training, and Hassan must be walking about in training. Martin O’Neill sees them every day in training, but I can only see Hassan as somebody that can create and produce something.”
How Do the Roles of Sebastian Tounekti and Haissem Hassan Compare?
As reported by Lewis Anderson of GlasgowWorld, Mulgrew highlighted specific tactical differences between the two wide players, criticising Tounekti’s tendency to check back rather than attack opposition defenders directly.
Mulgrew explained: “Tounekti receives the ball, checks back and goes backwards every time, and it’s not even to take the ball on to his other foot and cross it. You need to do something as a winger, you need to go and create, that’s your job.”
Conversely, Mulgrew pointed to Hassan’s impact in recent fixtures, noting that the French-born winger brings vital penetration to the attack. As reported by LiveScore News, Mulgrew noted that Hassan had demonstrated sharp directness, crossing capability, and key contributions when introduced in prior encounters, asserting:
“Hassan takes the ball… and gets a couple of crosses into the box and a couple of attempts at goal, and all of a sudden things look a bit brighter.”
Background of the Particular Development
The selection debate comes at a period of tactical transition for Celtic under Martin O’Neill. The Hoops secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Parkhead through a first-half strike by defender Liam Scales. While the result secured three points in the Scottish Premiership, performance levels have drawn scrutinising analysis from former players and media pundits.
Haissem Hassan arrived in Glasgow during the summer transfer window for a reported £6 million fee, expected to provide immediate dynamism down the flanks. Concurrently, Tunisian winger Sebastian Tounekti joined the club from Swedish side Hammarby IF. Tounekti has faced growing scrutiny from supporters and commentators regarding his output in the final third.
Mulgrew’s comments reflect a broader ongoing discussion among former players regarding O’Neill’s tactical style compared to the structured positional systems implemented by recent predecessors such as Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Celtic F.C. and Its Supporters
This squad selection debate and public scrutiny are likely to exert increased pressure on both Martin O’Neill and the squad’s wide players in upcoming domestic and European fixtures.
For Celtic supporters and the core squad, continued reliance on wingers who yield low goal involvement could lead to growing frustration, particularly during tight matches against low-block domestic defenses where creative individual brilliance is required. If Hassan remains sidelined despite his high price tag, questions regarding squad utilization and transfer strategy will intensify.
For the players involved, the scrutiny places direct pressure on Sebastian Tounekti to elevate his offensive production—specifically in terms of successful dribbles, crosses, and decisive goal contributions—to justify his inclusion over Hassan. Should Hassan be re-integrated into the matchday squad and deliver impactful performances, it may force a permanent shift in O’Neill’s preferred starting line-up and ease fan anxiety regarding the club’s offensive fluency.
