---
title: "Celtic: Lennon could switch Elhamed to centre-back against Hamilton"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-lennon-could-switch-elhamed-to-centre-back-against-hamilton/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Grant McQuillan"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-09-13T13:10:40Z"
modified: "2019-09-13T13:10:40Z"
---

# Celtic: Lennon could switch Elhamed to centre-back against Hamilton

**Neil Lennon could be set to deploy Hatem Abd Elhamed as an emergency centre-back for Celtic as the Hoops travel to Hamilton on Saturday for the Premiership clash.**

The Scottish champions are in the midst of an [injury crisis](https://www.footballinsider247.com/revealed-celtic-face-being-without-six-stars-for-clash-v-hamilton/) with Jozo Simunovic and Nir Bitton sidelined for the trip to the Accies, whilst Kristoffer Ajer remains a doubt for the match.

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

As per [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/lennon-plots-emergency-option-for-hamilton-clash-after-multiple-celtic-blows-sources/), the Celtic boss is considering moving Elhamed across to the centre alongside Christopher Jullien because of such injuries at the back.

Indeed, the Israel international showed his [versatility](https://www.footballinsider247.com/lennon-plots-emergency-option-for-hamilton-clash-after-multiple-celtic-blows-sources/) in the Old Firm as he moved into central defence following the injury to Bitton during the second half, and Elhamed ended up being pivotal in his side keeping a clean sheet against their fiercest rivals.

Elhamed has been utilised in a [right-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdaten/spieler/176990) role thus far for Celtic, but has plenty of [experience](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/176990) at centre-back throughout his career.

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

The 28-year-old has started brightly for Celtic since signing from Hapoel Beer Sheva in July, bagging himself one assist in the five games he has played for the club so far (as per [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/profil/spieler/176990)).

The movement of Elhamed to centre-back could force Lennon to play a back-three, which would be very reminiscent of a time when former Hoops right-back [Mikael Lustig](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/celtic-star-mikael-lustig-im-2034839) would do the same under the Northern Irishman’s leadership in recent years.