McAvennie: Celtic have just agreed to let go ‘better player’ than Frimpong
Frank McAvennie claims that Celtic fans will be happy to see Hatem Adb Elhamed leave – even though he’s a “better player” than Jeremie Frimpong.
The former Hoops striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted that Celtic fans will wish the defender well as he returns to the club that he left in 2019.
Elhamed joined his former side Hapoel Be’er Sheva permanently earlier this week after seeing his game time in Scotland limited this season.
The 29-year-old was only handed four Scottish Premiership starts in the first half of the campaign as Jeremie Frimpong was Neil Lennon’s preferred option at right-back.
McAvennie claims that Elhamed was a better defender than Frimpong and insisted that it is a shame the Israel international has departed.
“I thought he did well. The thing is, he wasn’t getting a game”, McAvennie told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs.
“They were playing Frimpong before him and I think that he’s a better player than Frimpong, a better defender.
“Maybe Frimpong was better going forward but he never got the ball past the first man anyway with his passing and crosses into the box.
“I thought Elhamed could’ve done a job there and it’s a shame that he’s gone. I understand his family wasn’t here, they stayed over in Israel.
“He’s never caused any problems at the club, he’s kept his mouth shut and got on with it and I think most of the fans will say thank you very much and be happy that he’s gone.”
Frimpong also left Celtic Park during the transfer window as he joined German side Bayer Leverkusen.
The Hoops’ next game is on Sunday as they travel to St Johnstone looking to pick up a fourth successive win in the league.
In other Celtic news, McAvennie throws his weight behind Lampard & Morris taking over at Celtic.