Hatem Abd Elhamed joined Neil Lennon’s Celtic in the summer transfer window.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon has spoken highly of defender Hatem Abd Elhamed to The Scottish Sun.
Lennon has been impressed with the performances of Elhamed for the Hoops so far this season.
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has also been impressed with the 28-year-old Israel international – who joined the Hoops from Hapoel Be’er Sheva for a transfer fee reported by The Scottish Sun to be worth £1.6 million.
Lennon told The Scottish Sun about Elhamed: “He’s done well. Considering that he hadn’t played often at right-back, he was really impressive in the games when he did play there and we were watching him.
“He was solid again in Rennes, very good athletically, and he already has a good relationship with James Forrest.
“He also has a strong recovery, and we’re well covered in that area with Moritz Bauer and young Frimpong. But he can also go to centre-half and do well in that position so he’s been a good bit of business.”
Sutton wrote about Elhamed in The Daily Record: “There’s nothing flashy about the Israeli and, in many ways, that’s the best thing about him. There’s no drama there. He’s strong, he’s diligent and he does his job well for the side.”
Good signing for Celtic
Unlike some other players who joined Celtic in the summer transfer window, there was not hype around Elhamed when he moved to the Hoops.
The defender has proved to be a shrewd signing for the Scottish Premiership, and his versatility to play as a right-back or as a centre-back will be very important for the Bhoys in the coming weeks and months.
According to WhoScored, Elhamed has made three appearances in the Scottish Premiership and once in the Europa League for Celtic so far this season.
Celtic will take on Kilmarnock at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
