Haissem Hassan Gets a Challenge From Egypt’s New Coach After Celtic Omission

Haissem Hassan has been urged to work hard and keep competing after he was left out of Celtic’s squad for the club’s narrow 1-0 win over Kilmarnock. The winger, who joined from Real Oviedo in a reported £6 million deal, has yet to secure a regular starting place since arriving in Glasgow. Celtic manager Martin O’Neill said the decision reflected competition for places. Hassan was not included among the substitutes, while Jota and Camilo Duran started out wide. James Forrest, Yang and Sebastian Tounekti later came on, with Callum Osmand also used on the flank. Hassan has now joined Egypt’s squad for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Malawi on November 13 and 17. The matches will be the first under new coach Ali Maher, who took charge after Hossam Hassan’s departure. Speaking to Egyptian media, Maher said the national-team door remained open to every player and encouraged the squad to persevere. “I want the players to work hard and persevere,” Maher said, adding that representing the national team was a great honour. He also said he trusted the players to build a strong generation capable of meeting supporters’ hopes. O’Neill, meanwhile, described Celtic’s selection decisions as a form of “manoeuvring” and said genuine competition for places could benefit the team. Hassan’s international appearances offer him a chance to impress Maher, while his club position remains unsettled, according to the report.