Celtic fans impressed by the versatility of Hatem Abd Elhamed will be pleased to hear that he played at left-back for Israel in last week’s match against Slovenia.
The 28-year-old earned his spurs as a Celt during the 2-0 win at Ibrox when he slipped effortlessly from right-back to central defence to snuff out the home strikers.
After taking in the reaction to that display Elhamed was quickly on the move picking up international caps against North Macedonia and Slovenia.
Explaining his versatility he told the Daily Record:
I was in the middle with Israel and also played for 45 minutes at left-back against Slovenia. I feel I am capable of playing anywhere in defence. It doesn’t matter to me whether it is right-back, left-back or central defence.
I’m confident I can make the right decisions regardless of what position I play in. I felt I did well for the national team and it has been a good start so far for Celtic. I’m happy to switch positions. The derby was a great experience for me. To experience that atmosphere was tough but I feel I adapted well.
I played two different positions so I want to take the confidence into Thursday. The Rangers game was one of the toughest and biggest of my career.
Celtic picked up Elhamed for £1.6m from Hapoel Be’er Sheva to fill the giant gap left behind by the departure of Mikael Lustig.
Supporters sceptical about converting someone who had mainly played in central defence into a full-back were quickly won over by the assured way that Elhamed took to playing in the new role.
With Moritz Bauer signed on loan from Stoke City for the season it seems that what could have been a problem position has now been resolved.
