Tactical turmoil at Celtic: Will Haissem Hassan be dropped to save Martin O'Neill's job?

20.09.26 07:00 Scottish Premiership

Celtic

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Rangers

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Celtic FC manager Martin O'Neill is facing mounting pressure to abandon his preferred 4-3-3 setup ahead of Sunday's derby against Rangers FC, a tactical shift that could jeopardize Haissem Hassan player page]’s regular starting role.

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Mounting pressure ahead of the Glasgow Derby

Celtic enter Sunday’s crucial domestic encounter following a damaging run of form across all competitions.

The Glasgow outfit suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to fierce rivals Rangers in the Scottish League Cup quarter finals last Sunday which followed a demoralising 3-1 home loss to Ferencváros at Celtic Park in the UEFA Conference League.

Those setbacks compounded an earlier elimination against LASK in the Champions League play-offs.

According to Celtic outlet 67 Hail Hail, O'Neill finds himself under immense scrutiny, with the team unable to produce a convincing response to their recent slump.

However, the report maintains that sacking the manager would represent an emotional overreaction rather than a constructive solution to the club's deeper structural problems.

Midfield imbalance and the 3-5-2 proposal

At the core of Celtic’s tactical decline is the disruption of their midfield balance. While O'Neill found consistency utilizing a 4-3-3 system last season, the department has suffered considerably following the sale of Belgian midfielder Arne Engels to West Ham United, with the club failing to recruit a suitable replacement.

To compensate for this lack of central control and mask defensive frailties, 67 Hail Hail suggested that O'Neill transition to a 3-5-2 formation.

Implementing three central defenders and wing-backs could reinforce a vulnerable backline and provide greater compactness against high-calibre opposition.

What a system change means for Haissem Hassan

While a structural shift could stabilise Celtic defensively, it presents a significant dilemma regarding Haïthem Hassan.

The Egyptian international has established himself as a trusted starter under O'Neill this season providing direct pace and natural width on the right wing.

A switch to a 3-5-2 setup relies on paired central strikers and dynamic wing-backs removing orthodox wide forwards entirely. Adopting the system for the upcoming derby would likely force Hassan out of the starting lineup or require him to take on unfamiliar, defensively demanding wing-back responsibilities.

Khaled Hegazy |

Editorar, en

Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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Scottish Premiership