Egyptian international Haitham Hassan delivered an impressive performance for Celtic despite their 4-1 defeat against Portuguese side Benfica in the second round of the UEFA Europa League league phase.

Although Celtic suffered a heavy defeat, Hassan managed to stand out after coming on as a second-half substitute.

His attacking movement, pace, and creativity helped improve Celtic's performance, while his assist for the team's only goal earned him praise from Scottish media.

The Egyptian winger also received the highest rating among Celtic players on SofaScore, making his performance one of the few positives for the Scottish side.

Haitham Hassan Impresses Despite Celtic's Heavy Defeat

Hassan entered the match at the beginning of the second half and made an immediate impact during his 41 minutes on the pitch.

His pace and movement created problems for Benfica's defense, particularly on the wing, where he repeatedly challenged defenders and looked for opportunities to create chances.

His most important contribution came when he delivered an accurate cross to teammate Camilo Duran, who headed the ball into the net to score Celtic's only goal of the match.

According to SofaScore, Hassan received a rating of 7.8, the highest among Celtic players, despite playing less than half of the match.

The Egyptian winger registered two shots on target, two key passes, one big chance created, and one assist.

He also completed both of his attempted crosses, achieving a 100% crossing accuracy rate.

In passing, Hassan completed 14 of his 18 attempts, recording a success rate of 78%.

He had 28 touches, completed one of his two dribbles, and won three of his five ground duels.

His ability to move the ball forward was another important part of his performance.

Hassan carried the ball for a total distance of 236.5 meters, including 141 meters of progressive carrying distance toward Benfica's goal.

Latest News

Egypt Eyes Squash Double as Asal Faces Elias and Orfi Meets El Hammamy in Egyptian Open FinalsSalah row: Can Hossam Hassan rebuild trust, or should he go?

These numbers highlight his attacking contribution and his efforts to help Celtic recover during a difficult match.

Scottish Media Praise Hassan as Starting Role Comes Into Focus

Hassan's impressive performance attracted attention from several Scottish media outlets, which highlighted his positive influence after entering the match.

Scottish website 67 Hail Hail awarded the Egyptian winger a rating of 7 out of 10, the joint-highest score alongside Camilo Duran.

The website praised Hassan's attacking energy and his ability to create problems for Benfica's defenders, suggesting that his performance could strengthen his chances of starting future matches.

Daily Record also praised the Egyptian international, explaining that his second-half display showed signs of improvement and suggested he could soon reach the level expected of him.

Hassan managed to beat Benfica left-back Samuel Dahl on several occasions, creating shooting opportunities and putting pressure on the Portuguese team's defense.

His assist for Duran's goal was also his second assist since joining Celtic, showing his growing contribution to the team's attack.

Meanwhile, Glasgow Times gave Hassan a rating of 6 out of 10 and praised his attacking movement and ability to beat his direct opponent.

However, the newspaper also noted that his passing accuracy and decision-making were not always consistent.

The performance comes at an important moment for Hassan, who is looking to earn more playing time and establish himself as a regular starter for Celtic.

His display against Benfica could improve his chances of starting Sunday's upcoming match against Hearts at Celtic Park.

Despite Celtic's disappointing result, Hassan emerged as one of the team's brightest performers.

His 41-minute appearance showed that he can make a difference in difficult situations and may deserve a bigger role in the Scottish club's upcoming matches.