Egypt winger Haitham Hassan made his first appearance for Celtic as the Scottish side began their League Cup campaign with a 4-0 victory away to Dundee United on Saturday.
The 23-year-old came off the bench in the second half of the second-round match, marking the beginning of his Celtic career after his move from Spanish club Real Oviedo.
Hassan was introduced after 71 minutes, replacing Tunisia international Sebastian Tounkti, who had played a key role in Celtic’s convincing victory.
Tounkti had already made his mark on the game before making way for the Egyptian, scoring Celtic’s third goal in the 53rd minute as the Scottish side established a commanding advantage.
Hassan was on the pitch for the final 19 minutes but was unable to add to Celtic’s goal tally or provide an assist. He had limited opportunities to influence the match but made several passes during his first outing for his new club.
Despite his relatively short appearance, Hassan’s performance earned praise from Celtic manager Martin O’Neill after the match.
The Egyptian’s arrival means Celtic now have two Arab players in their squad, with Tunisia’s Tounkti also playing an important role in the team’s attack.
Hassan begins new chapter in Scotland
Hassan joined Celtic from Real Oviedo after impressing with Egypt at the 2026 World Cup.
His performances for the Pharaohs helped the team reach the round of 16 at the tournament for the first time in their history, giving the winger an opportunity to attract further attention before beginning his new club career.
His move to Scotland also represents another milestone in Hassan’s career.
He has become the fourth Egyptian player to feature in the Scottish league, adding his name to the country’s growing list of players who have moved into Scottish football.
Although his first Celtic appearance lasted less than 20 minutes, the winger now has an opportunity to establish himself under O’Neill as the season progresses.
The Celtic manager’s positive assessment after the match will provide encouragement to Hassan as he adapts to his new surroundings and the demands of Scottish football.
The victory over Dundee United also gives Celtic a strong start to their League Cup campaign and provides the team with momentum at the beginning of the season.
Tounkti steals the spotlight
While Hassan’s debut was the main focus for Egyptian supporters, it was Tounkti who made the greater individual impact during the match.
The Tunisian forward was involved in Celtic’s attacking display and scored the team’s third goal in the 53rd minute.
His performance ensured that Tounkti remained at the centre of attention until his substitution in the 71st minute, when Hassan was brought on.
The pair now form an Arab presence within the Celtic squad, with Hassan representing Egypt and Tounkti Tunisia.
Their presence could provide another interesting storyline throughout the season as both players compete for opportunities in Celtic’s attack.
For Hassan, however, the immediate priority will be to build on his first appearance and work towards securing more playing time.
World Cup experience behind Hassan
Hassan arrives at Celtic with significant international experience following his involvement with Egypt at the 2026 World Cup.
He chose to represent Egypt internationally and played a role in the country’s historic run to the last 16.
Egypt’s campaign eventually ended with a 3-2 defeat by Argentina in the round of 16, but Hassan still made his mark in the match by creating a goal for the Pharaohs.
That experience is now part of the foundation on which he will look to build his Celtic career.
His debut against Dundee United may have been brief, but the 4-0 victory provided an ideal result for the new signing to begin his time in Scotland.
With the League Cup campaign under way and the season continuing, Hassan will now look to turn his substitute appearance into a more prominent role in O’Neill’s plans.
For Celtic, meanwhile, the combination of a comfortable victory, Tounkti’s goalscoring contribution and Hassan’s first minutes offers an encouraging start to the new campaign.
