Hatem Abd Elhamed

I hope for your sake he’s right.


Or you’ve just set yourself up to look very very daft

 

Someone's speed doesn't qualify him to play as a full back. A RCB in a 3 man defense is one thing. A RB is another matter entirely.

 

I seriously don't believe he's our first choice right back..

 

Hopefully you’re right. Criminal if he is.

 

Was even reading Kayal earlier saying he's only known him as a centre half and he's been in national squads with him as well..

We needed another centre half. Lenny has already spoken about needing two right backs also so can't see this guy being our number one man..

He may end up being good enough to nail a starting place and will likely start in our qualifiers....but deffo expecting someone to come in of more recognised quality. An actual right back..

 

Asked 2 players he trusts 100%

 

Celtic are poised to complete the signing of defender Hatem Abd Elhamed, manager Neil Lennon has confirmed.

Lennon said a deal had been agreed pending a medical, with work permit and visa applications also outstanding.

He also confirmed that Abd Elhamed, who has one cap for Israel, can play as a right-back or central defender.

"We think he's a good player. Strong defensively, very quick and I think he'd be a very good addition," Lennon said of the Hapoel Be'er Sheva player.


In his last three seasons, he's played very well at a very good level. I'm really impressed with what I've seen of him."

Abd Elhamed, 28, joined Hapoel Be'er Sheva in 2017 from domestic rivals Ashdod, and played 27 times last season as they finished third in the Israeli top flight.

He has also had spells in Belgium with Charleroi and Gent, and in Romania with Dinamo Bucharest.

Meanwhile, Lennon also confirmed that the club had cancelled a trial for former Leicester City right-back Danny Simpson in the light of Abd Elhamed's signing.

"We were down the line with Hatem and one or two other options so we just felt it would be futile to bring Danny in if he sees us bringing in other players in his specialised position," said Lennon.

 

Meanwhile, Lennon also confirmed that the club had cancelled a trial for former Leicester City right-back Danny Simpson in the light of Abd Elhamed's signing.

"We were down the line with Hatem and one or two other options so we just felt it would be futile to bring Danny in if he sees us bringing in other players in his specialised position," said Lennon."

Looks like we plan on playing the lad at RB..

 

I've supported Lennon thus far, but this is inexcusable. He should pester Lawwell until the guy's ears bleed, if that will get us a qualified RB.

 

Encouraging.

 

Let's hope this gamble pays off. Only Ralston as a backup which could be a sore watch if Elhamed gets injured. This could be a long season ahead. Doesn't fill you with confidence when your manager comes out with "we think he is a good player." Even more so when 9iar is at stake!

 

Am sitting in the optimism side of the fence and hoping those 1 or 2 others at least 1 is a natural right back

 

I think there is more to Simpsons trial being cancelled than just us signing this guy. You wouldn't cancel a trial if it wasn't costing anything.

 

Maybe the pessimist in me, but with Lennon's comments that we won't be strengthening until after this qualifier, I think those deals broke down..
Hope to be proven wrong tho.

 

Deadline for wildcard is 11pm tonight so won’t have anything done tonight. Hopefully we see off the Estonians and then do something deadline for Cluj/Macabbi if we win this round 11pm Friday 2nd August

 

Even if we do sign someone the player won’t be ready to play that game.

We should have had one in weeks ago so that they could get up to speed against the lesser opposition, like Sarajevo and Kalju.

 

Looks like Elhamed will be our back-up RB this campaign, disappointing to say the least. If he's first choice then lol