---
title: "Celtic: Mikey Johnston ruled out of Motherwell clash; Hatem Abd Elhamed doubtful"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-mikey-johnston-ruled-out-of-motherwell-clash-hatem-abd-elhamed-doubtful/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-08-09T20:05:55Z"
modified: "2019-08-09T20:05:55Z"
---

# Celtic: Mikey Johnston ruled out of Motherwell clash; Hatem Abd Elhamed doubtful

**Mikey Johnston has been ruled out of Celtic’s Premiership clash with Motherwell tomorrow and Hatem Abd Elhamed could also miss the trip to Fir Park.**

[Celtic’s official Twitter channel](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1159801066327871488) reported quotes from manager Neil Lennon saying that the Israel defender “[is a doubt for tomorrow](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1159801066327871488)” and that the young Scottish winger “[will just miss out](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1159801066327871488)” before adding that he “[should be okay](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1159801066327871488)” for Tuesday night’s Champions League qualifier against CFR Cluj.

Abd Elhamed was [substituted after 51 minutes in last week’s win over St Johnstone](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdaten/spieler/176990) with a dead leg but [played 87 minutes in the 1-1 draw against CFR Cluj](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/hatem-abd-elhamed/leistungsdaten/spieler/176990) on Wednesday, while Johnston was not in the matchday squad for the game in Romania.

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

Abd Elhamed may have had an abortive debut for Celtic, but still did enough to leave [these Hoops supporters waxing lyrical about his performance](https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/big-elhamed-is-class-celtic-fans-give-first-impression-of-debutant-1-4976354), as reported by [The Scotsman](https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/big-elhamed-is-class-celtic-fans-give-first-impression-of-debutant-1-4976354).

He also helped to set up James Forrest’s equaliser against CFR Cluj on Wednesday, with Sourav Mahanty of [The Celtic Bhoys](https://thecelticbhoys.com/2019/08/08/celtic-player-ratings-forrest-shines/) saying that he “[looked shaky defensively early on](https://thecelticbhoys.com/2019/08/08/celtic-player-ratings-forrest-shines/)” but “[improved as the game settled](https://thecelticbhoys.com/2019/08/08/celtic-player-ratings-forrest-shines/)“.

If Abd Elhamed isn’t fit enough to face Motherwell tomorrow, Lennon could face a dilemma as to who will start at right-back.

Anthony Ralston, the [only natural alternative to Abd Elhamed in that position](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/kadernachposition/verein/371), has [started just one game for Celtic so far this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anthony-ralston/leistungsdaten/spieler/388171) and [came on for the Israel defender last Saturday in his only other appearance](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anthony-ralston/leistungsdaten/spieler/388171).

Lennon could also decide to play Kristoffer Ajer at right-back, with the Norway international [adopting that role for both legs of last month’s Champions League qualifying tie against Sarajevo](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdaten/spieler/328658).

Johnston has had a very encouraging start to the season, [scoring twice and supplying two assists in his four appearances thus far](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikey-johnston/leistungsdaten/spieler/297257).

His goal which initiated the 7-0 thrashing of St Johnstone last week was a thing of beauty, running his marker ragged by shuffling the ball from one foot to the other before coolly dispatching a shot to the far corner of the St Johnstone net. \[[via SPFL on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J568teeDqwU)\].

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

Johnston could have done damage against Motherwell given his current form, although it is encouraging that Lennon has given him a chance of being fit for Tuesday’s clash against CFR Cluj.

The stakes are far higher for Celtic in that game than they are tomorrow, with a win or a 0-0 or 1-1 draw needed to progress to the Champions League play-offs whereas they will still have 36 Premiership matches to play after the trip to Fir Park.

Therefore, Lennon could be tempted to give Abd Elhamed a chance to recover fully for Tuesday and instead go with Ralston or Ajer at right-back against Motherwell.

***Celtic fans, how do you feel about Abd Elhamed and Johnston missing tomorrow’s game provided they are both fit for CFR Cluj on Tuesday? Comment below with your thoughts!***