Hatem Abd Elhamed has described Celtic as ‘crazy’ and promised to repay Neil Lennon’s faith in him after the right back recovered from injury to return to the first team.
Elhamed had been injured in the dramatic win in Rome in November before a further injury in Dubai during the winter break left him on the sidelines for an extended period. Although the former Hapoel Be’er Sheva defender has said, as reported by the Daily Record, that he is grateful to be at a club that every player dreams of.
“I am already in a crazy club in Europe, it is every player’s dream to be in a club like this.
“I only want to get back to my fitness after the injury, get back in the line-up and be one of the most important players in the team.
“The coach is the one who brought me here and fought for me.
“In one of the interviews, he said he didn’t understand how he brought such a player at such a cheap price.
“He didn’t understand how such a player came out of the Israeli league.
“He has given everything so I could be here and I will give my all to repay him for that.”
Elhamed is keen to show the Celtic supporters his thanks for backing him during his spell on the sidelines. Elhamed returned to the pitch in the 5-0 win over St Mirren and won a penalty.
“I got 12 minutes to get into things and it was fun to come back.
“Unfortunately the timing of the injury wasn’t great but I am blessed to now be back.
“The good thing is that the fans have been great to me in my time here.”
Just as Elhamed returned, the league was thrown into turmoil as the COVID-19 pandemic led to the league being suspended. Although the 29-year-old isn’t in favour of returning to action behind closed doors as he values the supporters too much.
“Playing without a crowd is something I wouldn’t like to see. It is the crowd that drives the players on and can give you an advantage.
“I want to play in front of fans, even those of our opponents. As a footballer I would not like having to play without a crowd.”
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