Celtic defender Hatem Abd Elhamed may see his future at centre back.
Celtic boss Neil Lennon has told the Daily Record that he thinks Hatem Abd Elhamed is actually a centre back – just three months after being adamant that he is a right back.
The Bhoys hammered Aberdeen 4-0 on Sunday afternoon, and saw teenage right back Jeremie Frimpong grab the headlines with his first goal for the club.
Frimpong looks to have a huge future, but he’s making an impact now, and that means he took Hatem Abd Elhamed’s position for Sunday’s trip to Pittodrie.
The Israeli international impressed against Lazio on Thursday, but was rested in favour of Frimpong, and may now find it difficult to displace the exciting Dutchman.
Intriguingly though, Lennon appears to be changing his mind about Elhamed, but not in terms of his quality; he seems to absolutely love what the 28-year-old has brought to Parkhead.
It’s more about his position. When Elhamed signed from Hapoel Be’er Sheva this past summer, Lennon was asked why a centre back had been signed to play at right back, and Lennon was adamant that he was a right back by trade, as quoted by the Daily Record.
Now though, Lennon has admitted that he actually thinks Elhamed is a centre back, praising him for his work in the heart of defence, but noting that he can’t really play him there because of the form of Kristoffer Ajer and Christopher Jullien.
Maybe seeing Elhamed on a daily basis has changed Lennon’s opinion, and it must be noted that this isn’t a criticism; Celtic signing a player who can play brilliantly in both positions is ideal, especially given that he was a bargain signing.
His versatility will be vital, and will help Celtic develop Frimpong whilst keeping Elhamed in and around the side, and with Mortiz Bauer also in the ranks, it just gives the Israeli an added edge in the battle for first-team football.
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