The Hatem Abd Elhamed question that Celtic need to answer

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We’d be lying if we all said we knew Hatem Abd Elhamed’s position in this Celtic team.

According to the Daily Record, the defender is set to have a medical at Parkhead ahead of a proposed £2million move.

Just last night, former Israeli star Boni Ginzburg stated in the Scottish Sun that he believes Celtic are wanting him as a right-back. That’s despite the fact Elhamed played at centre-back for Hapoel Be’er Sheva more often than not.

Of course, the Israeli can also play at right-back too. He appears to be naturally comfortable in either position, or at least that’s what we’re all led to believe. But Celtic have to actually tell us where Elhamed’s position in the team will be.

Neil Lennon has been extremely cagey on transfers that haven’t been completed this summer. He doesn’t enjoy speculating on who could be set to come in. That’s had a clear effect, as we’ve had next to no information from the manager on Elhamed.

It’s a deal that looks certain to take place. Considering Be’er Sheva have already effectively confirmed it, it would be hugely surprising not to see it go ahead.

The reporting of Elhamed’s position has changed

If you look back to some of the earlier reports from the Scottish media on Elhamed, you’ll see he was often labeled as a centre-back. The likes of the Sun and The Times have stated he’s a central defender in the past.

Over the last couple of days, however, outlets such as the Daily Record and the BBC have described him as a right-back who can play at centre-half.

So there are conflicting reports over where his true, primary position actually is. For Celtic, it would seem more logical for us to play him at right-back given the crisis we currently have in that position.

But if Elhamed is naturally a centre-back, it doesn’t look great if we’re replacing Mikael Lustig with a player who doesn’t see that position as his number one role.

By all accounts, the Be’er Sheva man is comfortable enough to deal with the challenges at right-back. But the Celtic manager is still to really clear up where he sees him fitting in.

After all, we still need one more to join Kristoffer Ajer, Christopher Jullien, and Jozo Simunovic in the centre-back ranks. Who’s to say Elhamed isn’t being lined up for that fourth spot?

Once the deal is inevitably wrapped up, hopefully Lenny will clear this up in his first interview.