---
title: "Celtic: Hatem Abd Elhamed is an injury doubt for tonight’s AIK clash"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hatem-abd-elhamed-is-an-injury-doubt-for-tonights-aik-clash/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-08-22T14:25:53Z"
modified: "2019-08-22T14:25:53Z"
---

# Celtic: Hatem Abd Elhamed is an injury doubt for tonight’s AIK clash

**Celtic defender Hatem Abd Elhamed is unlikely to feature for the Hoops in tonight’s Europa League play-off first leg against AIK because of injury.**

The [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1168581/Celtic-team-news-predicted-line-up-AIK-defender-injury-doubt-Bain-Europa-League) reported that the 28-year-old has emerged as an injury doubt after picking up a knock in training ahead of the match.

According to the [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1168581/Celtic-team-news-predicted-line-up-AIK-defender-injury-doubt-Bain-Europa-League), the Israel international is one of several injury concerns for Neil Lennon coming into the match at Celtic Park, with Scott Bain ruled out because of a dislocated thumb, Tom Rogic short of match fitness and Kristoffer Ajer picking up a shoulder injury against Dunfermline in the Betfred Cup last weekend.

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

It has only been a month since Abd Elhamed [signed for Celtic](https://www.celticfc.net/news/16503) but the defender had already seen the early weeks of his Hoops career affected by injury.

His [first Premiership match against St Johnstone](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdaten/spieler/176990) at the beginning of this month ended prematurely with a dead leg forcing him off early in the second half, according to [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4569911/celtic-hatem-abd-elhamed-fitness-cluj/).

He then missed the following weekend’s 5-2 win away to Motherwell with a minor muscle problem, as reported by [The Irish Times](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/celtic-make-no-mistake-at-motherwell-1.3982901).

He came back to play the full length of both the [Champions League qualifying defeat to CFR Cluj](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdaten/spieler/176990) and last weekend’s [extra-time win over Dunfermline](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdaten/spieler/176990).

Whenever Abd Elhamed has been on the field so far this season, he has drawn plenty of positive reviews for his performances.

[The 4th Official](https://the4thofficial.net/2019/08/christie-gets-a-perfect-10-elhamed-8-5-celtic-players-rated-in-exquisite-win-vs-st-johnstone/) said that he “[threatened with overlapping runs, link-up play with James Forrest, pinpoint crosses and cut insides](https://the4thofficial.net/2019/08/christie-gets-a-perfect-10-elhamed-8-5-celtic-players-rated-in-exquisite-win-vs-st-johnstone/)” on his club debut against St Johnstone.

Gabriel McKay of [Football Scotland](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/celtic-player-ratings-against-cluj-16750362) described him as “[cool and composed on the ball](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/celtic-player-ratings-against-cluj-16750362)“, while Sourav Mahanty of [The Celtic Bhoys](https://thecelticbhoys.com/2019/08/17/celtic-player-ratings-vs-dunfermline/) called him “[one of the few bright spots of this summer’s transfer window](https://thecelticbhoys.com/2019/08/17/celtic-player-ratings-vs-dunfermline/)” and feels that the right-back “[has made the position his own](https://thecelticbhoys.com/2019/08/17/celtic-player-ratings-vs-dunfermline/)“.

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

In Abd Elhamed’s likely absence tonight, Lennon may decide to go with Ajer at right-back if the [Norway defender](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/profil/spieler/328658) is fit enough, as he has [started there on four occasions already this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdaten/spieler/328658).

However, that would then deprive Celtic of his services in his [more familiar centre-back role](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/328658), and Ajer’s participation tonight is not assured given the shoulder injury from last weekend.

That would leave Anthony Ralston as the [only right-back option in the Hoops’ squad](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/kadernachposition/verein/371) and he does not seem to be greatly trusted by Lennon, having [started only one game](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anthony-ralston/leistungsdaten/spieler/388171) so far this campaign, the [second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Nomme Kalju](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anthony-ralston/leistungsdaten/spieler/388171) into which Celtic took a [5-0 lead from the first leg](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anthony-ralston/leistungsdaten/spieler/388171).

Abd Elhamed has been praised for his lively, assured early performances for Celtic, but his stop-start involvement in the team because of injuries could be a worry going forward if that pattern continues throughout the season.

***Celtic fans, have you been impressed with Abd Elhamed so far and how big a miss would he be when out injured? Let us know what you think by commenting below!***