NafisaThere was already plenty for Celtic supporters to be furious about after Sunday’s Old Firm disaster.
The 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox was painful enough, with Martin O’Neill’s side completely outplayed as their biggest rivals marched into the next round of the Premier Sports Cup.
But behind the scenes, another incident has now emerged that could add yet more fuel to the growing frustration surrounding Celtic.
Haissem Hassan was one of the players who found himself on the wrong side of O’Neill’s team selection, with the Celtic winger dropped from the starting XI as the manager opted for a more cautious approach against Rangers.
And according to reports surrounding the aftermath of the derby, Hassan’s frustration boiled over after what had already been an incredibly difficult afternoon.
The Frenchman was eventually introduced from the bench during the second half, but by that stage Celtic were already trailing heavily.
Rangers had established a commanding advantage and Hassan was unable to make the sort of impact that might have changed the direction of the contest.
Instead, the winger was left to watch his side collapse from the sidelines for long periods before being thrown into the action with Celtic already 3-0 down.
That decision inevitably raised questions about how Hassan felt about his reduced role.
But there was another flashpoint involving the Celtic star during the afternoon.
Hassan’s frustration appears to boil over
Hassan was reportedly involved in a touchline clash with James Penrice during the heated derby, adding another layer of frustration to an afternoon that had already gone badly wrong for Celtic.
And what allegedly happened after the final whistle could now become another talking point around O’Neill’s squad.
Hassan is reported to have stormed down the tunnel at full-time without acknowledging the Celtic manager.
If accurate, the incident would offer a remarkable insight into just how much frustration was bubbling underneath the surface at Ibrox.
Celtic had travelled across Glasgow with hopes of progressing in the cup.
Instead, they were beaten 3-0 by Rangers and spent much of the afternoon looking completely incapable of matching their rivals.
For a player who had started the season expecting to play an important role, being left on the bench for such a massive fixture would naturally have been difficult to accept.
Being introduced only after the game had effectively slipped away would have made the situation even more frustrating.
And Hassan was certainly not the only Celtic player visibly struggling with the afternoon.
O’Neill’s team looked disjointed from the opening whistle, while Rangers dominated the physical battle and punished Celtic’s mistakes with ruthless efficiency.
Dan Neil scored twice, with Kevin Kelsy also finding the net, leaving Celtic staring at an embarrassing quarter-final exit.
By the time Hassan entered the game, there was little opportunity for him to rescue the situation.
That makes the alleged tunnel incident particularly interesting.
If the report is accurate, Hassan’s reaction would suggest that his frustration was not simply about losing to Rangers. His disappointment may also have been connected to the decision to leave him out of such an important starting XI and then introduce him only after the damage had largely been done.
O’Neill facing growing questions
For O’Neill, the timing could hardly be worse.
The Celtic boss already faces scrutiny over his tactical approach following the heavy defeat, particularly after opting for a shape that prioritised defensive security while leaving Hassan among the substitutes.
The decision failed to produce the desired result.
Rangers still found a way through, Celtic struggled to create enough danger and the Hoops ultimately suffered their heaviest possible punishment in one of the biggest fixtures on the calendar.
Now, questions over player morale and dressing-room frustration could potentially add another dimension to the fallout.
The most important issue, however, will be what happens next.
A dressing room can survive disappointment. It can survive players being unhappy about selection. It can even survive a humiliating defeat to a fierce rival.
What becomes more dangerous is when those frustrations begin to spill over publicly.
Hassan’s reported reaction will therefore be something Celtic supporters will be watching closely.
There is no suggestion that one alleged incident alone has caused a major dressing-room problem, but after such a damaging defeat, every flashpoint is going to attract attention.
And with another Old Firm meeting already looming on the horizon, O’Neill will need his squad united rather than divided.
For Hassan, meanwhile, the next few weeks could be particularly important.
If he believes he should have started at Ibrox, the best response will ultimately have to come on the pitch.
But after being dropped for the biggest game of the weekend, introduced when Celtic were already 3-0 down and reportedly walking straight down the tunnel at full-time without acknowledging O’Neill, the winger has certainly given Glasgow’s football media another dramatic storyline to dissect.
After an afternoon that was already being described as a disaster for Celtic, the alleged Hassan incident could prove to be one of the most revealing pieces of fallout yet.
Nafisa
