Celtic learn “impossible” injury scare with star requiring major treatment

Celtic overhauled their attack in the summer, spending heavily to give Martin O’Neill a new-look front line for the season ahead.

The early signs were encouraging, and former Premier League striker Iain Dowie was so impressed that he backed Høgh and Durán to put the title out of reach for the rest of the Premiership.

“I get Hearts having confidence of challenging the big boys, but I have a feeling that Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran are going to run away with it for Celtic,” Dowie said earlier this month. “Kasper Hogh got a hat-trick against Kilmarnock and Duran has scored six goals already.

“It’s brilliant. Duran is scoring goals, and I think those two might run away with it. I like both of those players. Duran has really caught the eye lately, and Kasper Hogh clearly did well with that hat-trick.”

Since then however, the goals have dried up. Høgh has not scored since his hat-trick against Kilmarnock, and Durán has gone five games without a goal. Hassan, meanwhile, is still waiting for his first goal for the club after nine appearances.

Celtic learn fresh Hassan injury blow

REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Celtic now have an injury to deal with as well. Hassan was due to join up with Egypt for AFCON qualifiers against Angola and South Sudan, as well as a friendly against South Africa. However, he has been left out of the squad with an unspecified problem.

The news has come out of nowhere, as the winger showed no obvious signs of trouble last weekend and completed the Old Firm clash against Rangers.

Egypt boss Hossam Hassan confirmed the news, and although he did not say what the injury is, it is bad enough to require some serious treatement.

“Haissem Hassan is receiving intensive treatment just now,” he said. “But I am not worried about his absence because we have a lot of excellent players to replace him. 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.

“We prioritise player health and full physical recovery above all else and we expect him back once he is 100 per cent fit.

“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.”

While Hassan has struggled to make an impact so far, he’s certainly a player O’Neill will not want to be without, with the manager full of praise for the 24-year-old after his first outings for the Hoops.

After a poor run of form, Celtic can ill afford injuries. O’Neill has made no secret of his frustration at the club’s summer transfer activity, particularly the failure to replace Arne Engels, and his squad already looks light in key areas. Losing Hassan for any length of time would stretch it even further.

The timing is also awkward. There has been speculation that O’Neill could walk away, with reports of tension between the manager and the board following the Old Firm defeat.

Whether he stays may well depend on the board promising to strengthen the squad in January. Until then, Celtic will be hoping Hassan’s intensive treatment does its job, and that nobody else joins him on the sidelines during the extended international break.