Hatem Abd Elhamed could be about to leave Celtic on compassionate grounds.
The defender is 18 months into a four-year contract but it is reported that his family has returned to Israel leaving him virtually on his own in Scotland.
These sort of issues are occurring behind the scenes with international travel virtually wiped out and employment leaving families in separate countries.
The Sun reports:
SunSport understands unsettled Elhamed, 29, has been finding the situation increasingly difficult throughout the pandemic restrictions. It’s believed the defender has opened up on the personal issue to club chiefs.
Sympathetic Celts could be willing to listen to offers for Elhamed when the transfer window opens in January. However, his potential exit could depend on whether they are able to sign a replacement with Head of Recruitment Nick Hammond currently looking at possible right-back targets.
Elhamed started his career with Maccabi Tel-Aviv and they could offer him a return home. The experienced defender signed a four-year deal when he joined Celtic from Hapoel Be’er Sheva last summer in a £1.6m deal.
Elhamed has been in and out of the Celtic defence this season, sharing the right-back berth with Jeremie Frimpong and also featuring in a back three.
Last season he made a promising start but the emergence of Frimpong and a serious groin injury picked up away to Lazio curtailed his involvement.
Elhamed started in last week’s Europa League defeat away to AC Milan but was replaced by Chris Jullien in the 1-1 draw against St Johnstone with Neil Lennon likely to be asked about the situation in his media conference to preview Thursday’s match with Lille.
