Celtic handed major blow as another star put in quarantine

Celtic have suffered another blow ahead of the Glasgow Derby as one more player on international duty has gone into quarantine.

This international break cannot come to an end soon enough. A number of questions have been raised already behind the thought process of arranging games in the middle of a global pandemic and those questions are completely justified after several players around the world have tested positive while away on international duty. Unfortunately, Celtic have suffered more than most clubs.

The first to go down was Odsonne Edouard, who tested positive after reporting to French under-21 duty at Clarefontaine. Then, Ryan Christie was ordered to isolate for 14 days after Stuart Armstrong tested positive while with the Scotland national team and the Celtic midfielder was identified as a close contact.

Nir Bitton tested positive as well while with the Israel national team although it is arguable that he should not have been with them in the first place, having injured his ankle just a week ago. And further bad news is coming out of the camp as it looks like Hatem Abd Elhamed has been put into quarantine as well after he complained of feeling unwell.

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After Bitton’s test, Elhamed was not adjudged to be a close contact to the relief of the fans. But as it turns out, he might have been infected after all. The defender felt unwell after the team’s Nations League game against Czech Republic and has been isolating ever since.

The Scottish Sun reports:

"The Israel defender complained of feeling unwell after the Nations League defeat to Czech Republic last night.The Celtic star was taken out of the squad and will have a virus test this morning as Neil Lennon anxiously waits for the result."

If Elhamed indeed ends up returning a positive test then that will end up leaving the Hoops severely depleted at the back against the Rangers. It might even end up forcing Neil Lennon to tweak his formation. But that is a discussion for another day.

At this point of time, we have an agonising wait on our hands regarding the Israel international. And all we can do is hope that he has not been infected.