---
title: "Celtic: Hoops target Hatem Abd Elhamed’s future to be decided this week"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hoops-target-hatem-abd-elhameds-future-to-be-decided-this-week/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-07-17T20:35:25Z"
modified: "2019-07-17T20:35:25Z"
---

# Celtic: Hoops target Hatem Abd Elhamed’s future to be decided this week

**Celtic transfer target Hatem Abd Elhamed hopes to have his future decided this week.**

The [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/christopher-jullien-addresses-celtic-lookalike-18297202) reported that the Hapoel Be’er Sheva centre-back is hoping to make a clear decision on his future in the coming days.

According to the [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/christopher-jullien-addresses-celtic-lookalike-18297202), the 28-year-old requested to be left out of his club’s squad for their Europa League campaign.

Abd Elhamed had been linked with a move to Celtic by [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4447638/hatem-abd-elhamed-celtic-transfer-news-hapoel-beer-sheva/) earlier this month and the Hoops could soon find out whether they are likely to land the Israel international.

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

Abd Elhamed played [27 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176990) in all competitions for Israeli top-flight club Hapoel Be’er Sheva last season, scoring [three goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176990).

He made his senior debut for Israel last month in a [Euro 2020 qualifier against Poland](https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/season=2020/matches/round=2001086/match=2026152/index.html), coming on for Celtic player Nir Bitton.

Indeed, the Hoops have signed several Israeli players in the past, including [Bitton, Eyal Berkovic, Beram Kayal and Rami Gershon](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4447638/hatem-abd-elhamed-celtic-transfer-news-hapoel-beer-sheva/), while manager Neil Lennon brought Israeli goalkeeper [Ofir Marciano](https://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/2016/08/03/hibs-snap-israel-international-goalkeeper-ofir-marciano-ahead-championship-curtain-raiser/) to Hibernian.

Abd Elhamed is primarily a centre-back, playing in that role [45 times in 68 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176990). He can also be deployed in a holding midfield role, having played there [11 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176990), and has featured at right-back on [five occasions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176990).

Such is his versatility that he has also lined out as a [left-back, attacking midfielder, sweeper, central midfielder and right midfielder](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176990).

If Lennon is planning to use Abd Elhamed in his most natural position as a centre-back, the Israel international would have stiff competition for a starting berth, with [Jozo Simunovic, Kristoffer Ajer, Jack Hendry](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/startseite/verein/371) and [summer signing Christopher Jullien](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48770628) all playing in that position.

Celtic also seem well covered in defensive midfield, where they have [Bitton, Eboue Kouassi](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/startseite/verein/371) and [new arrival Luca Connell](https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/17738632.celtic-wrap-up-signing-of-boltons-luca-connell-with-generous-fee/).

However, there are other positions that Elhamed has played where the Hoops are not so well resourced. Anthony Ralston is currently the [only natural right-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/startseite/verein/371) in Lennon’s squad, while the potential departure of Olivier Ntcham, who has [angered his manager](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/11759234/celtic-boss-neil-lennon-not-satisfied-with-olivier-ntcham-transfer-comments) by [telling L’Equipe that he would “blossom” elsewhere](https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Article/Olivier-ntcham-celtic-glasgow-si-j-allais-a-marseille-je-m-epanouirais/1037244), would leave just [Scott Brown in central midfield](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/startseite/verein/371).

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

Abd Elhamed’s tendency to be shoved from one position to the next might indicate a worrying lack of specialism in one specific area of the field.

However, his versatility should make him a very useful option for Lennon, especially if right-back Ralston was to be unavailable for any reason.

Also, with a deal potentially being done for just £1.6million, as reported by [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4447638/hatem-abd-elhamed-celtic-transfer-news-hapoel-beer-sheva/), the Israel jack of all trades offers excellent value given the variety of positions in which he can play.

***Celtic fans, do you feel that Abd Elhamed would be a good signing for the club? Let us know what you think by commenting below!***