FORMER Celtic Star Beram Kayal has told imminent new arrival Hatem Abd Elhamed all about life in Paradise, telling the defender that signing for Celtic will turn out to be one of the best days of his life.
Now at Brighton playing in the Premier League Kayal was a big success at Celtic for Neil Lennon, seem to remember him scoring the last time we won a Group stage Champions League match at home, against Ajax in a 2-1 win and he also picked up four league titles and two Scottish Cup winners medals for the Hoops. A savage, thuggish tackle from Elbows in the Scottish Cup replay over the Rangers – the so called Shame Game – put him out of action for a considerable period and he never recovered his form until his move to England.
Kayal remains a Celtic man though and he’s been busy selling the Celts to his Israeli pal.
“This is a big opportunity for Hatem. I’m so happy for him to get the chance to join a big club like Celtic,” Kayal told Daily Record. “Obviously he asked me for advice because I would class him as a friend.
“What did I say to him? I told him that it will probably be the best day of his life when he signs for Celtic.
“He’s a really good player and, most importantly, he’s ready to be a Celtic player. When you are joining such a big club as Celtic then you need experience and he has that now, including making his debut for the international team.
“He was in Gent in Belgium but it didn’t work out and he returned to Israel. This is now the time for him as I believe he has a stronger mentality and he is more experienced.
“He’s really fast, knows how to defend and he’s calm with the ball at his feet. He can play in two positions, right back and centre back, so that versatility is also an advantage.
“I know him as a centre back. I know he has played right back a few times so I don’t know what the club has planned for him. But with all due respect to the players who are at the club just now, he has to take this opportunity for himself and prove himself at such a big club.
“He is a winner and has a good character. I am sure he will fit well into the dressing room.”
Kayal is clearly pleased that his pal is set to be joining Celtic, but also admitted that he was sad to see another one of his friends and former teammate Mikael Lustig leave Paradise after winning 8 consecutive titles since signing in January 2012 as part of the first Neil Lennon revolution at Parkhead.
“I’m sad to see Mikael leave as he has been one of the best right backs in Scottish football but you need to respect his decision to take on a new challenge. He still has the quality and has performed unbelievably well and I wish him all the best,” Kayal said. A sentiment we of course all share.
Lustig could of course be back in Glasgow in Europa Cup qualifying duties if Gent are drawn against the Rangers, assuming they get by Progres…We covered this last night see HERE.
And talking about European draws, here’s the latest rundown on who Celtic could get in the third round draw – assuming we’re in it – and the Champions we want to avoid at all costs…see HERE.
