HATEM Elhamed was delighted to make his first competitive start of 2020 for Celtic in last week’s UEFA Champions League qualifier against KR Reykjavik.
Now, having helped the team to a comprehensive 6-0 win and a place in the second qualifying round, the defender is aiming for further first-team involvement and helping the Hoops continue their European progress, which continues tonight (Wednesday) with a home tie against Hungarian side Fernecvaros.
It was actually on the European stage that Elhamed enjoyed his last start, when he played in the historic 2-1 win over Lazio in Rome. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury that night which derailed what had been an impressive start to his Celtic career.
After working his way back to fitness, the 29-year-old came on as a late second-half substitute in Celtic’s 5-0 win against St Mirren in March. As fate would have it, that game would be the Celtic’s last of the 2019/20 season.
Not one to dwell on the personal frustrations of last season, the Israeli internationalist is excited to be back playing football again. After spending his first pre-season with Celtic, the Hoops defender has been eased back into competitive football with two substitute appearances in the league and his first start.
“It was very exciting to start a game because when you love playing football and haven’t been able to for so long, you miss it a lot,” said Elhamed in an exclusive interview with the Celtic View. “I was out for a while because of injury and then the situation that we’re in now.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Vol 56 Issue 5 من Celtic View.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Vol 56 Issue 5 من Celtic View.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED...
Jodie Bartle was delighted to score her first goal for Celtic, a week after her derby strike was controversially disallowed
TOMMY BHOY
Celtic legend was a supporter first, last and always
WOUNDED PRIDE
Christopher Jullien was a frustrated spectator as he recovered from injury, but now that he’s back, he’s determined to play his part along with his team-mates to get back to winning ways
ON THIS DAY
HISTORY OF PLAYERS
KEEP THE FAITH
Manager knows hard work can and will deliver an upturn in fortunes for his Celtic side
THE LAST WORD
NEXT week the Christmas edition of the Celtic View will be out, which means this will be the last column I write in 2020.
FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS APPEAL SPOTLIGHT: THE INVISIBLES
WE continue our spotlight series on the organisations we hope to support through this year’s Celtic FC Foundation Christmas Appeal, with a closer look at the work of The Invisibles, a Glasgow-based voluntary organisation, which aims to provide comfort to those living on the city’s streets.
LIVING THE DREAM
Danny Crainie was proud to wear the Hoops and he continues to back the team as a supporter
EVERYONE IS HURTING AT THE RUN WE'RE ON
IT was a disconsolate home dressing room at Celtic on Sunday, as the team reflected on their first domestic cup defeat in over four years.
9 from NINE
The View wants YOUR views on the Hoops’ remarkable decade of dominance