Celtic's Haissem Hassan was a notable absentee for Egypt's friendly against South Africa on Sunday, a match the Pharaohs lost 1-0. According to a report, the winger has already made his way back to Glasgow ahead of schedule, cutting short his involvement with the national team setup.
The circumstances behind Hassan's early return to Celtic Park have not been fully detailed, but his absence from Egypt's squad for the defeat raises questions about his immediate priorities, with the Scottish champions apparently keen to have him back in the fold.
Elsewhere in Celtic's business, there is said to be some unease over the recent form of Kasper Hogh, the club's marquee summer arrival. Hogh joined Celtic from Bodo/Glimt for a fee in the region of £11m, a significant outlay that has placed expectation on his shoulders as the club's long-term focal point in attack. Despite the dip in output, those at Celtic remain confident that the forward possesses the qualities required to establish himself as a reliable goal threat in the seasons ahead, viewing any current struggles as a natural part of his adaptation to a new league and environment.
That sense of patience with new arrivals finding their feet at Celtic Park is echoed by former player Joe Ledley, who has urged supporters and observers alike to give the club's recent recruits time to settle. Ledley, who knows first-hand what it takes to adjust to life at the club, pointed to the initial disorientation that often accompanies a move to the east end of Glasgow. He described the early period at Celtic as one that can come as something of a jolt to new signings before they find their rhythm.
"I think a lot of the new boys will come good once they get over that initial shock of moving to a massive club like Celtic," Ledley said, reflecting on his own experiences and those of players who have followed a similar path to Parkhead.
Across the city divide, there has been talk involving a former Rangers player reflecting on his time at Ibrox. The player, identified as Martyn, expressed regret that his stint with the Govan club did not last longer, suggesting a sense of unfinished business during his spell there. While specific reasons for the brevity of his time at Rangers were not elaborated upon, the sentiment points to a player who looks back fondly on his association with the club and wishes circumstances had allowed for a more extended stay.
Meanwhile, Rangers forward Martyn Waghorn has offered his backing to manager Derek McInnes, expressing confidence that the Ibrox boss can guide the team to silverware. Waghorn's comments add to the growing sense of optimism around Rangers under McInnes, with players within the squad publicly voicing support for the direction the club is heading in under his management.
Both Glasgow giants find themselves navigating a mix of optimism and uncertainty as the season progresses — Celtic weighing patience against expectation for their big-money signing while monitoring the situation involving Hassan, and Rangers buoyed by internal endorsements of their manager's project as they continue the pursuit of trophies.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport, Glasgow Times, Football Insider, Sun, and Record.