Celtic's Mika Baur worry, Haissem Hassan omission & familiar problems

Today, we reflect on Sunday's 1-0 victory over Kilmarnock at Celtic Park. Liam Scales scored the only goal of the afternoon as Martin O'Neill's side followed up their Europa League victory over Besiktas with another three points, maintaining a four-point advantage over Rangers at the top of the Premiership.

It was a less convincing performance than Thursday's European comeback, however, with Benjamin Nygren missing a penalty, Kasper Hogh suffering further frustration in front of goal and Kilmarnock threatening to both score a shock early opener and snatch a late equaliser.

What did we learn from the match, and what questions remain as Celtic head into the international break?

How much should be read into another unconvincing Celtic performance?

There is a temptation to judge every Celtic performance against the problems that have troubled the side throughout the season. With the European victory over Besiktas providing a welcome lift after a difficult few weeks, Sunday's meeting with Kilmarnock offered an opportunity to establish some momentum.

Three points are always welcome but the overall display fell well short of what many supporters would have wanted. Still, there is important context that is worth some consideration.

Celtic expended considerable energy overturning a half-time deficit against Besiktas just three days prior. Returning to domestic action less than 72 hours later was always likely to present a different challenge.

Nevertheless, there’s a fair argument that the home side 'got away with one', given the glaring opportunities Neil McCann’s side spurned in the opening and closing moments of the match.

In contrast to many domestic matches this term, chance creativity was a problem. Only six of Celtic’s 20 attempts at goal were on target, with a non-penalty xG of just 1.38 generated, well below their average of 2.33 per 90 in the Premiership this term.

Celtic shot map versus Kilmarnock. (Image: Statsbomb)

Celtic also managed just seven accurate crosses from 29 attempts, illustrating the difficulty they had turning territorial superiority into clear opportunities even against a Kilmarnock team that arrived in Glasgow with a bit of attacking intent.

Nygren's missed penalty just 15 minutes from time left Celtic vulnerable to precisely the sort of late incident that nearly cost them. Erik Ring's cross in stoppage time was excellent and Ieuan Owen was only inches away from converting it.

This was a match primed for chaotic football variance resulting in dropped points against the worst team in the Scottish Premiership right now. So make of that what you will!

Celtic vs Kilmarnock xG race chart. (Image: Statsbomb)

It can't be wholly dismissed as a result of fatigue. Celtic have struggled to control matches and defend transitions at various stages this season, and Kilmarnock demonstrated how opponents can still create dangerous openings without enjoying much of the ball.

Nevertheless, there is something to be said for winning when the performance falls short. Celtic have not done enough of that recently, as demonstrated by the points dropped against Dundee United and Falkirk in the previous two league matches.

The clean sheet was also welcome after a period in which Celtic's defensive record had become a significant talking point.

Ultimately, Celtic remain far from where they need to be in a performance sense, even as they sit top of the table.

How significant would an injury to Mika Baur be?

There was one particularly unwelcome development towards the end of Sunday's match, when Mika Baur was forced off when challenging Aaron Tshibola for the ball.

The German midfielder required assistance as he left the pitch, trudging towards the dugout with a heavy limp. O'Neill subsequently revealed that Baur had suffered an ankle injury. A scan early this week will establish the extent of the damage.

Baur has become an increasingly important figure in O'Neill's midfield since arriving from Paderborn in August. His performances have not always attracted the same attention as those of Celtic's more headline-grabbing attacking players, yet he has established himself as a regular starter for good reason.

The 22-year-old provides energy and mobility in central areas, pressing opponents aggressively and covering ground alongside Callum McGregor. He is also willing to advance beyond the midfield line, giving Celtic an additional runner when they have possession in the opposition half.

Mika Baur touch map in the Scottish Premiership this season. (Image: Statsbomb)

Celtic have struggled at times to find the right balance between attacking intent and defensive protection, placing further importance on Baur's contributions.

Sunday offered more examples of his willingness to impose himself on the game. His challenge on Greg Kiltie began the move that ended with Hogh putting the ball into the net, although the goal was disallowed after referee John Beaton reviewed the incident at the pitchside monitor.

It was a contentious decision for many, but one that also illustrated the approach Baur brings to Celtic's midfield. He is prepared to engage opponents higher up the pitch and attempt to win possession in areas from which the team can immediately attack.

Baur is not a complete midfielder. There are still occasions when his positioning and decision-making require refinement, while Celtic have not been immune to being exposed through the middle even with him in the team.

Nevertheless, his progress has been encouraging.

O'Neill's assessment following Sunday's match was glowing. The manager also highlighted Baur's work rate and expressed concern about the injury after visiting him in the treatment room.

The international break at least provides some opportunity for recovery, depending on what further examination reveals. Baur had been due to join up with Germany's Under-21 squad.

If Celtic are forced to manage without him when domestic football resumes, there are alternatives in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke McCowan or Oliver Sorensen.

The question is whether any of those players would provide quite the same combination of defensive activity, mobility and attacking support that Baur has brought to the team.

There is no need to exaggerate the importance of a single midfielder, particularly in a squad which is better resourced than any in Scotland. Yet Baur is one of the few players who has made a convincing case for a starting spot in O'Neill's team.

In answer to the original question? His absence would be very significant. Losing him for a prolonged period would create another problem at a time when Celtic are still searching for a settled team. 

What does Haissem Hassan's absence tell us about O'Neill's squad management?

Haissem Hassan was omitted from Celtic's matchday squad altogether, despite the winger proving to be one of the more popular options on a right flank that hasn’t been particularly convincing all season.

With Jota making his first start since April 2025, Camilo Duran operating from the right and Hogh leading the line, O'Neill again changed the configuration of his attack.

The manager described his selection thinking as a period of "manoeuvring", emphasising the importance of competition for places. Celtic have a number of players capable of occupying the wide attacking positions, but the side has struggled to find a consistently effective combination.

Camilo Duran's contribution on Sunday was another reminder of his versatility. His delivery for Scales' goal was an important moment, while he also tested Mantl with a curling effort from outside the penalty area.

The Colombian has been one of Celtic's most effective attacking players this season, both as a finisher and creator. Deploying him on the right allows Kasper Hogh to retain his place, but it also means Celtic are using one of their most productive forwards away from what appears to be his most natural position. It may ultimately prove to be the best balance for the team, although that is far from settled.

The wider issue is not selecting Duran over Hassan, but that, with Celtic still need more reliable penetration against organised defences, O'Neill left out a potentially game-changing presence of the squad entirely.

Celtic completed just two of their ten attempted dribbles against Kilmarnock. That is a surprisingly low return for a side with so many attacking players who are theoretically capable of beating an opponent. There are occasions when the ability to eliminate a defender creates the space that Celtic otherwise struggle to find.

Hassan has shown he can provide that quality, averaging close to three successful dribbles a game in the Premiership this term, even if his performances have not always produced an end product.

Haissem Hassan's successful dribbles in the Premiership this term. (Image: Statsbomb)

Jota's return will add another dimension as his fitness improves, while Hyun-jun Yang, James Forrest, Sebastian Tounekti and Callum Osmand provide further options.

There is not necessarily a shortage of numbers. It is finding the correct combination of qualities and allowing those relationships to develop.

There is no obvious solution that accommodates every player, but O’Neill must prioritise those most viable rather than trying too hard to integrate the likes of Tounekti, Forrest and McCowan into the squad at the expense of Hassan, who holds considerably more future promise than any of them.

O'Neill has choices, which is preferable to having none, but the next stage is demonstrating that those choices form part of a coherent attacking plan with the players he himself recruited during the summer transfer window.