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.
This story is from the Vol 56 Issue 5 edition of Celtic View.
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This story is from the Vol 56 Issue 5 edition of Celtic View.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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