CELTIC defender Hatem Abd Elhamed today reported positive news on his ongoing, which he picked up in November in Rome during Celtic landmark 2-1 win over Lazio in the Europa League. That was the first time ever that Celtic had won a competitive match on Italian soil but it came at a price with the influential summer signing being ruled for around two months with a groin injury.
This afternoon though Elhamed signalled that he should be back in action shorty after seeing the club’s medical staff. “Very positive results this morning,” the defender reported on Instagram. “Will be back with my teammates soon.”
Nir Bitton went off injured on Saturday in the opening stages of the 2-1 Scottish Cup win over Partick Thistle, while Kirstoffer Ajer was issuing from the squad after picking up a knock in training. Jozo Simunovic replaced the injured Bitton but with Celtic playing on the plastic pitch at Kilmarnock on Wednesday night – he isn’t able to play on these surfaces due to his on-going knee problems – Celtic are certainly short of numbers for possible central defenders.
Even Jack Hendry has left the club to join Melbourne City on loan until the end of the season. The former Dundee defender posted an image of him on the flight to Australia at the weekend so he’s not an option.
Celtic are still looking at two additional recruits on top of the two signings to date (Ismaila Soro’s medical is happening today in Israel as he awaits what should be a formality re receiving his work permit) and a central defender must surely be a strong possibility.
Has Filip Benkovic got his loan move from Leicester yet?
Hatem Abd Elhamed’s return to full fitness is however excellent news and in particular he would be a player we’d want to see at his best at in the side the next time we cross the city to play the Rangers. He did rather well the last time we played them there!
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