Celtic suffer 3-0 Ibrox defeat as Tounekti substituted at half-time

At Ibrox, Celtic lost 3-0 in a Premier Sports Cup quarter-final where manager Martin O’Neill started Sebastian Tounekti in place of Yang Hyun-jun, and Tounekti was substituted at half-time for Haissem Hassan after a difficult first half, manager comments and match events showed.

Tounekti had already struggled in his earlier start this season and lost possession frequently in the first half at Ibrox, where Rangers’ Dujon Sterling dominated his flank. Hassan, a summer signing from Real Oviedo, replaced Tounekti at half-time but could not change the course of the match as Celtic trailed and ultimately conceded three goals.

Kasper Høgh, back from injury, started up front with Camilo Duran shifted wide; both forwards failed to influence the game substantially. Høgh was substituted on 64 minutes, with Duran later replaced by Shim Mheuka.

Manager O’Neill also altered his defence, restoring Kieran Tierney at left-back and moving Liam Scales to partner Cameron Carter-Vickers in central defence. On-loan goalkeeper Sam Johnstone started in goal despite Viljami Sinisalo’s recent clean sheets; Johnstone appeared rusty in his second competitive appearance since March and faced early pressure when a clearance fell to Rangers’ Kevin Kelsy.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The match report shows Tounekti started in place of Yang Hyun-jun and was substituted at half-time for Haissem Hassan after being repeatedly outplayed by Dujon Sterling. Kasper Høgh returned from injury to start but was later substituted, while Camilo Duran was moved centrally then replaced. Manager Martin O’Neill changed the centre-back pairing, and Sam Johnstone started in goal despite limited recent game time. Supporter reactions in the source cite disagreements over team selection and calls for Viljami Sinisalo to be reinstated.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Celtic lost 3-0 to Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox.
• Sebastian Tounekti started, was dominated by Dujon Sterling and was replaced at half-time by Haissem Hassan.
• Kasper Høgh started after injury but was substituted; Sam Johnstone started in goal amid debate over selection.