Hatem Abd Elhamed has insisted that he has no problem playing at right-back.
When the defender was first linked with Celtic it was reported that he was a central defender with Hapoel Be’er Sheva that could also provide cover at right-back.
A year ago Celtic were linked with interest in Cristiano Piccini before he moved to Valencia, in January attention switched to Timothy Castagne of Atalanta as the hoops looked for a successor to Mikael Lustig.
Elhamed signed a four year deal on Wednesday and was happy to clear up the confusion over what position he plays in.
He told The Daily Record:
I used to play a lot as right-back, for many, many games, and my last coach decided to play me at centre-half which I did. If you say to me ‘play this position or that position’ I will always try my best. My position, however, is right-back.
I played only four or five games at right-back over the past few months but I played right-back a lot before that. I’m versatile. I can do many things. I’m fast, good with the ball, comfortable in possession and good in defence. I give my best in everything I do, 100 per cent, in every game and training session. I will show this on the field in my first game.”
Elhamed was introduced to the Celtic support at half-time during Celtic’s 5-0 win over Nomme Kalju and is likely to be involved in tomorrow’s closed doors friendly against Manchester City’s u-23 side.
A quick return to Israel could be on the cards if Maccabi Tel Aviv can turn around a 1-0 first leg defeat from Romanian champions Cluj.