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Exclusive: Celtic fan favourite tipped to be axed for CL qualifiers & replaced by 25-yr-old
Frank McAvennie has tipped Hatem Abd Elhamed to push Jeremie Frimpong for the right-back spot at Celtic next season after he recovered from injury.
The former Hoops and Saint Mirren striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, claimed Elhamed, 25, is the better defender of the two and urged Neil Lennon to start him in the upcoming Champions League qualifiers.
The Israel international, who joined last summer from Hapoel Beer Sheva, made a promising start to his career in Scottish football but a groin injury against Lazio ruled him out until March.
The versatile defender returned to fitness just before the season was stopped and subsequently curtailed because of the coronavirus.
McAvennie was impressed with what he saw from the Israeli in his first 14 appearances for the club and has high expectations next season.
“I think he will challenge Frimpong next season,” he told Football Insider.
“Elhamed is fit again and I really liked him. He did very, very well and seems like a strong character. He really impressed me.
“A big lad so he can play at centre-half as well.
“With Frimpong and Elhamed at right-back, two good players, that is a position Lenny does not need to worry about.
“Frimpong gets further forward but Elhamed is a better defensive player.
“I would like to see him come in for the European qualifiers.”
Speaking to the club’s YouTube channel, Elhamed said: “I’m really happy to be back, to be back with my team-mates and to start pre-season training.
“And I’m also happy that we won the championship – we’re all happy about that and we are now looking forward to the season ahead.”
In other Celtic news, it can be REVEALED the club have landed a £3.3m windfall and another £15m is on the way.
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