Celtic pair Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed could play their way into the Israel Euro 2020 squad.
First choice Hoops centre-half Jozo Simunovic is injured according to Neil Lennon yesterday. [Scottish Sun]
Bitton and Elhamed have rarely played this season due to various knocks, which may harm their spots in the national team.
However, they will be the two candidates Lennon will be looking at to fill in for Simunovic during his spell out.
Celtic duo playing Euro 2020 football for Israel?
Bitton is practically an older timer with the Hoops while Elhamed joined in the summer.
Both have experienced periods of success in the first team squad but have reached the same conclusion.
Injuries have stopped the pair from making further progress the squad, despite their qualities.
Bitton, purchased as a centre-mid, is now being moulded into a makeshift defender with some success.
Elhamed, a natural central defender, was being played as a right-back and arguably the club’s best summer signing before his injury.
Bitton is in and out the team, featuring most recently in the Scottish Cup win against St Johnstone.
Elhamed is back in the squad, having been a substitute against the Perth side.
Both players will be aiming to get into that important Israel Euro 2020 qualifying squad this month.
They perhaps wouldn’t have got a look in, had Simunovic not picked up his recent injury.
Elhamed and Bitton have the golden chance to get a run of games before they play Scotland on March 26th.
However, there is only one central position up for grabs in the Celtic squad for the foreseeable.
Furthermore, James Forrest is nailing down the right-wingback place, making it even more difficult for Elhamed who can play in both positions.
Bitton is winning the fitness race and the positional one between the two but don’t count Elhamed out yet.
There is no doubt that the latter is the better player when on form and anything can happen.
Israel manager Andi Herzog has a big decision to make between the two as does Lennon.
Does he risk the unfit but clearly talented Elhamed or go with the tried and tested Bitton this month?
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