Celtic star explains why he wants to leave the club

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 21: AC Milan players on the Celtic Park pitch for a player walk round ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group H stage match between AC Milan and Celtic at Celtic Park on October 21, 2020 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 21: AC Milan players on the Celtic Park pitch for a player walk round ahead of the UEFA Europa League Group H stage match between AC Milan and Celtic at Celtic Park on October 21, 2020 in Glasgow, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

After the emergence of recent rumours, the Celtic star has explained why he wants to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window.

With their defence being one of Celtic’s weakest areas this season, it is expected that they will be looking to shake things up in the upcoming January transfer window. The Hoops have conceded 14 goals in 14 Premiership games, which is a lot more than the mere 3 that the Rangers have let in till now.

The story is much more worse in the Europa League though. In just 5 group stage games, they have conceded 17 goals. No wonder they have managed just a solitary point and will finish bottom of the table no matter what happens on the last matchday.

Things could be about to get even worse though as it looks like Hatem Abd Elhamed is headed for the exit due to personal reasons. Speaking with The Scottish Sun, the Celtic defender said:

"“It is very difficult. My wife and son had a hard time adjusting to life in Scotland, for many reasons.“My wife has a successful career in Israel. We thought she would work here, but she did not get a work permit.“My son came here at five and had difficulties with the language and finding friends, so we thought it would be better for them to go back to Israel and visit me from time to time.“Unfortunately, the coronavirus made that impossible.Life is different. I am used to more social life, and the days pass more slowly than in Israel.“I am alone here. I finish training and go straight home. I do not leave the house much — and it was like that even before the virus.”"

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Elhamed moved to Celtic last summer and started the season as the first-choice right-back. The emergence of Jeremie Frimpong and his own injury issues have meant that he has pretty much lost his place in the side though.

But with his ability to play at both right-back and centre-back, he remains a big part of Neil Lennon’s plans. And with questions being raised about Frimpong’s defensive abilities, the right-back spot might very well be up for grabs.

It would be wrong to hold on to the Israeli international against his wishes though and won’t probably do his performances any good either. As a result, the best solution at this point of time would be for the Hoops to find a new right-back in the January transfer window and then let him leave.

The report states that rumours about his availability have piqued the interest of clubs like Maccabi Tel Aviv, Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Haifa.