HATEM ABD ELHAMED has been struck down by a mystery virus and is already rated doubtful for Celtic’s Premiership meeting with Ross County at Parkhead on Saturday.
The right-back took unwell while on international duty for Israel following his nation’s 3-1 Euro 2020 qualifying loss against Austria in Vienna on Friday night.
Elhamed will be given every opportunity to recover, but it looks almost certain he will sit out tomorrow night’s home encounter against Latvia.
Israel manager Andreas Herzog, in a report in the Scottish Sun, admitted: “Hatem Abd Elhamed is sick and has been suffering from a virus. He has not trained and, in fact, hasn’t even left the team hotel.
“He has not been able to eat with the rest of the group. Clearly, he is a major doubt for the game.”
The 28-year-old defender, who was signed by Neil Lennon for £1.6million from Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the summer, was rested by the Hoops boss in the 2-0 loss at :Livingston after a solid performance in the Europa League Group E 2-0 victory over Cluj three days earlier.
His place against Gary Holt’s side was taken by Austrian international Mortiz Bauer who will be on stand-by to face the Dingwall outfit at the weekend.
