CELTIC defender Hatem Elhamed has admitted that he has found it difficult to adjust to life in Glasgow with the Israeli's Parkhead future up in the air.

The 29-year-old completed a switch from Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the summer of 2019 but struggled to nail down a spot in Neil Lennon's starting XI, with injuries and the emergence of Jeremie Frimpong harming his game-time.

Reports this week have suggested that the Israel internationalist could be set for a return to his homeland next month when the transfer window reopens, with Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa and Beitar Jerusalem all monitoring the situation.

The Herald:

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Elhamed says that he and his family have found it difficult to adapt to their new surroundings - adding that the coronavirus pandemic has only exaggerated the situation.

He told the Scottish Sun: "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.

The Herald:

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"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."