Plenty of Celtic fans were delighted by the appearance of one name in particular on the team sheet for the reserves’ cup semi-final clash against Hibernian on Monday when it was shared on Twitter by @CelticFCAcademy.
https://twitter.com/CelticFCAcademy/status/1231927513762410503
Israeli defender Hatem Abd Elhamed lined out at right-back for Tommy McIntyre’s side, having returned to first team training in the last couple of weeks after missing more than three months of football due to a groin injury sustained against Lazio in November (as per The Scottish Sun). The 28-year-old came close to opening the scoring against Hibernian at Lennoxtown, forcing a save from the opposition goalkeeper with an early header and he played for just over an hour in his team’s 4-1 victory (as per celticfc.net).
Abd Elhamed, who came to Celtic last summer, has endured a frustrating first season at Parkhead, having also had spells out because of a dead leg and a virus earlier in the campaign, although stellar displays both home and away against Lazio in the Europa League showed what he can bring to the team when called upon.
These Hoops fans on Twitter were glad to see the 28-year-old lining out for the reserves on Monday as he draws closer to a first team return:
Good to see Elhamed back. A player we need. hh
— Declan Mcgougan (@decciemcgoo) February 24, 2020
Elhamed 💚 get that man back in our defence
— Aaron Boyd (@aboyd1888) February 24, 2020
Elhamed FTW yasssss!!
— Jonathan R Martin (@JohhnyMartin88) February 24, 2020
Good to see El Hamed getting a run out. 🍀
— David Murray (@Murrayserge) February 24, 2020
El hamed back yassss
— CraigyMcIntyre. (@craigmcintyre91) February 24, 2020
Great to El Hamed’s name there #Relentless 💪🍀
— GaryD (@garydoyler) February 24, 2020
El hamed now wer talking. Back in time fur the quadruple tweble celebrations 🥳 😎👊🏻🍀🍀🍀🍀🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻
— Disco abd elhamed 😎🍀 (@Davidbeaton20) February 24, 2020
How big a boost will it be for Celtic to have Abd Elhamed back in action for the first team? Share your views in the comments section below!
