Celtic defender Hatem Abd Elhamed has told The Scottish Sun hat he is indeed finding life difficult at Parkhead.
The Scottish Sun reported earlier this week that Elhamed may be looking to leave Celtic for a return to Israel.
It was suggested that Elhamed has told Celtic that he wants to go back to his homeland with his wife and son, with the global pandemic making life tough for him.
A £1.6million signing from Hapoel Be’er Sheva in 2019, Elhamed has played 29 games for Celtic and picked up seven assists, showing quality when he has been available.
His versatility to play at centre back and right back is valuable, but it now seems that he will be leaving the Bhoys in the near future.
This new report suggests that Maccabi Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem have joined Maccabi Tel Aviv in the race for Elhamed, with all three looking to lure him to Israel.
Elhamed has now admitted that life is ‘very difficult’ as his wife couldn’t receive a work permit to work in Scotland, whilst his son struggled in Scotland too.
Elhamed added that he doesn’t leave the house much and is really struggling alone in Scotland, which explains why he seemingly wants to lave for a return to Israel.
“It is very difficult. My wife and son had a hard time adjusting to life in Scotland, for many reasons,” said Elhamed. “My wife has a successful career in Israel. We thought she would work here, but she did not get a work permit. My son came here at five and had difficulties with the language and finding friends, so we thought it would be better for them to go back to Israel and visit me from time to time. Unfortunately, the pandemic made that impossible.”
“Life is different. I am used to more social life, and the days pass more slowly than in Israel. I am alone here. I finish training and go straight home. I do not leave the house much — and it was like that even before the virus,” he added.
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