‘Absolute Soap Opera,’ Fans React to Lennon’s Elhamed Injury News

CELTIC’s summer of discontent today got worse with Neil Lennon breaking the bad news that Hatem Abd Elhamed is a major injury doubt for tomorrow night’s Europa League qualifier against AIK Stockholm at Celtic Park.

Kris Ajer’s ‘popped’ shoulder on Saturday against Dunfermline means that the Norwegian central defender, who has been filling in at right back since so far this season, is also doubtful.

If neither player makes it then the only option, other than trying Callum McGregor as a right back, would be to play Anthony Ralston, who is a player who is clearly not fancied by the manager.

A few of the replies to this tweet by Celtic Gossip sum up the mood among the support after hearing this news.

“Danny McGrain has just been registered by Celtic.”

“Yet we’ll be here next season doing the same all over again. Complete joke.”

“Well, witnessing the last few shambolic windows, I expected another window like this to be honest.”

“Good thing he had that contingency plan for when Tierney was sold.”

“Callum mcGregor get your boots on, since you have nailed the left back position, you can now play right back.”

“Don’t worry about it, can easily drop Scott Brown to right back with Calmac at left back.”

“Making last year’s window look good.”

Assuming that neither Elhamed or Ajer make it tomorrow that Ralston will probably be the right back, as he is the only one in the squad.

The central defence will be two from Jullien (not selected last week against Cluj), Simunovic (who didn’t play against Dunfermline) or Nir Bitton (who is essentially a midfielder helping out).

Assuming that Neil Lennon plays a defender at left back that will mean playing Bolingoli who again was not selected against the Romanian Champions.

The other options would be to ply Jonny Hayes (a winger) or heaven forbid, Callum McGregor (a midfielder).

This is where you get to when you sell your top defender (for £25million) and then fail to re-invest a single penny of that money in the squad. Talking of planning ahead, you really need to read this article from earlier – see HERE.

Maybe though that’s about to change as Neil Lennon today revealed that the club is working on bring in a few additions (maybe 3 or 4) before the window closes on Monday 2 September.

Also on The Celtic Star…

Celtic finally confirm latest signing Jonathan Afolabi…see HERE.

Celtic’s Meling Move? Rosenborg’s Champions League Play-off against Dinamo Zagreb, a Crucial Factor…see HERE.

Meling Move…see HERE.

‘That makes me smile,’ says Celtic Star, Cluj lose at home to Slavia Prague…see HERE.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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