---
title: "Celtic: Hatem Abd Elhamed expected to be out for six weeks"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hatem-abd-elhamed-expected-to-be-out-for-six-weeks/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-11-15T18:25:32Z"
modified: "2019-11-15T18:25:32Z"
---

# Celtic: Hatem Abd Elhamed expected to be out for six weeks

**Celtic have been dealt an injury blow with the news that defender Hatem Abd Elhamed may well be ruled out for the rest of 2019.**

\[freshpress-poll id=”259199″\]

The [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hatem-abd-elhamed-celtic-injury-20882683) reported that his agent Dudu Dahan has said he will be out of action for six weeks following a groin problem he incurred in the Europa League win away to Lazio recently, having initially been anticipated to be back within three to four weeks.

As noted by the [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hatem-abd-elhamed-celtic-injury-20882683), he will miss the Hoops’ Betfred Cup final clash against Rangers on December 8th.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Abd Elhamed’s absence for the [first cup final of his Celtic career](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdaten/spieler/176990) is sure to be a bitter disappointment for him and for the club.

The [versatile Israeli](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176990), who joined from Hapoel Be’er Sheva in July in a £1.6m deal (as per [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4505455/celtic-hatem-elhamed-sign/)), had [started all of Celtic’s Europa League group games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdaten/spieler/176990) up to now and was recently lauded by manager Neil Lennon, who said: “For the money we bought him for he’s proving to be real value for money.” (as per [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hatem-abd-elhamed-celtic-injury-20882683)).

Abd Elhamed has shown himself in the Hoops’ European campaign to be a solid defender who habitually breaks up opposition attacks – he has recorded two successful tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game in the Europa League group stage, with the latter figure the highest in Celtic’s squad. \[[via WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/103/Show/Scotland-Celtic)\]

His performances this season have come in for praise from Chris Sutton, who wrote in his [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/reasons-celtic-fans-neil-lennon-20130986) column that the 28-year-old has been a “signing who looks dependable and safe”.

At least Lennon has the consolation of knowing that he is not short on right-backs in Abd Elhamed’s absence.

Moritz Bauer, who [came in from Stoke](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49500292) in the summer transfer window, has provided [two assists in his six appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/moritz-bauer/leistungsdaten/spieler/159692) to date, while teenager Jeremie Frimpong has started three of the last four Premiership games, scoring one goal and setting up another (as per [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jeremie-frimpong/leistungsdaten/spieler/484547)).

Lee O’Connor, who [made his Republic of Ireland debut at right-back](https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/player-ratings-from-irelands-victory-over-new-zealand-964300.html) last night, is another option for the manager, although the youngster has [yet to play for Celtic](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lee-oconnor/leistungsdaten/spieler/366681) since his [arrival in September](https://www.celticfc.net/news/16755).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Even though Lennon has a variety of capable options at right-back, Abd Elhamed’s absence for several weeks is a setback for player and club, with Celtic locked in a [very tightly-contested Premiership title race](https://www.skysports.com/scottish-premier-table) and with the Betfred Cup final to come.

The onus now is on the likes of Bauer and Frimpong to make the right-back spot their own and lessen the impact of Abd Elhamed’s six-week absence.

***Celtic fans, how big a blow is it to be without Abd Elhamed for the next few weeks? Have your say by commenting below!***