HATEM Abd Elhamed is loving life as a Celtic player and is fast becoming a popular figure among the support. The Israeli has proved himself to be as competent in central defence as he is at right back and during the international break he also got some game-time in as a left back.
Tomorrow night will prove to be a different sort of challenge for the new Celts. Celtic Park will inevitably be a little emptier than it usually is for these Betfred Cup ties against lower league opposition and it will be in stark contrast to the next home game – against Cluj in the Europa League next Thursday night. That promises to be tasty to say the least.
But for now the important point is to be fully focused on Partick Thistle, bottom of the Championship and with a new manager Ian McCall just appointed yesterday. No banana skins please Celtic.
“We need to respect every opponent and play our way,” Elhamed said to the media, as reported by the official Celtic site. “We are in a good moment and we need to keep this going and we look forward to the game tomorrow.
“I played with the champions of Israel before I came here, and there we needed to win every game and we wanted to win every competition. So I came to Celtic ready and at the right age.
“I’m so happy with everything so far. I’m happy with my performances and how the club has welcomed me.
“Physically here, it’s much more higher than what I’m used to. My physical level is high so I adapted quickly to this. The challenges are tough and strong, but I’m a player who likes this. I like challenges to be strong and it gives me motivation to play.”
Moritz Bauer started at right-back on Sunday’s 3-1 home win over Kilmarnock and impressed. The Austrian international went off injured in the second half and Elhamed came off the bench. He will have noticed that the Stoke City man, on loan for the season, with Celtic having an option to buy, had made a case for being considered a genuine contender for the right back spot in Neil Lennon’s exciting team.
“At big clubs you always have competition,” Elhamed said. “You should have two or three good players in each position. It’s fine and competition is something positive. It makes you better.
“We have a lot of quality players, with a strong mentality from all of them. I think in the last game you can see the good connection between us. We speak a lot during the games to each other.
“We are getting to know each other better every game, we are trying our best and in the last couple of games we have been doing well.”
“We need to respect every opponent and play our way." ✊
Elhamed 3⃣3⃣#CELPAR
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) September 24, 2019
Incidentally we had a look earlier today at how Neil Lennon’s start to the season is more impressive that Steven Gerrard’s start this time and also last season and much better than Brendan Rodgers who seemed to have had his mind on other things last year. Have a read, it’s rather interesting…9IAR Report – Gerrard’s stats show Rodgers was beatable but Lennon is a different kettle of fish…see HERE.
ALSO ON THE CELTIC STAR TODAY…
Celtic Bashing – ‘I wanna Make some Cash’, Charlie’s Grubby Media Business…see HERE.
9IAR Report – Gerrard’s stats show Rodgers was beatable but Lennon is a different kettle of fish…see HERE.
Legend’s Beautiful Sunday Verdict – ‘I was surprised at how comfortably Celtic won’…see HERE.
Premier League to Celtic is no ‘step down or backwards’ says Jolly Green Giant…see HERE.
