It has been four months since Hatem Elhamed last started a game for Celtic.
The Israeli has been out injured for a large part of Celtic’s season. When he has played, the defender has looked solid and assured.
Hatem finally made his return to action for the last 15 minutes against St Mirren at the weekend and looked very eager to impress.
The Celtic star won the penalty which Callum McGregor converted to make it five on the day.
While it would be harsh on Nir Bitton, if Neil Lennon wants to throw a Glasgow Derby curve ball – Elhamed would be the one I’d be looking at.
If you recall from our win at Ibrox last year, the defender came in from the cold and hadn’t trained in ten days when he got the nod to play.
The result was a top performance and a goal-saving tackle.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B15qy30FZYf/?igshid=4a0rzce2371q
Fast forward now, and I ask myself, what’s more of a risk? Playing Nir Bitton as a defender at Ibrox or bringing Elhamed in from the cold?
As I wrote the above, my mind keeps ticking over and slightly changing. However, Neil Lennon has seen Elhamed in training and knows his qualities. Should he find his fitness, I’d be starting him at Ibrox.
What about you?
Elhamed is the way.
I remember the tackle at Ibrox previously and it was a thing of beauty which got scant attention afterward. Id pick Hatem over Nir in THAT fixture but Bitton is good from the back in other games. Lenny will call it right.
Start him. He is the missing link in our 3-5-2 formation and i think with him back in the team things can only go from strength to strength (also i am taking nothing away from the bhoys who have played meantime as they have been great)
I’d start him and have Nir on bench just in case. What a dilemma to have but think Neil will want to get his best players on the field. I’ve faith in the manager. Hopefully players will go for it from the start.