…as Elhamed makes case for Nwakaeme at Celtic
ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Scottish Premier Football League action will resume behind closed doors from August 1 following Scottish government’s official approval for the resumption of hostilities as Celtic defender Hatem Abd Elhamed has made a case for the signing of Super Eagles striker, Anthony Nwakaeme, by the club.
The league was initially stopped to curb the spread of the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the world.
The Scottish Football Association confirmed the plan, which comes in the wake of the First Minister’s announcement of phase three of the route out of the coronavirus crisis.
It means the Scottish Premiership season can now begin on that scheduled date and pre-season friendlies can take place “with immediate effect” – provided players are subject to weekly testing from July 13.
1stnewsonline.com gathered that SPFL Chief Executive, Neil Doncaster, said, “Today’s approvals are a significant step forward for Scottish Premiership clubs and provide the necessary clarity to prepare for the new season.
“The ability for clubs to arrange and participate in friendly matches is important on and off the field as momentum builds towards what will be a welcome and exciting return to Scottish football starting 1 August.”
The Premiership fixtures were released earlier this week and saw Celtic kick off their title defence at home to Hamilton Academical on August 2, while Rangers travel to Aberdeen on August 1.
The top tier is the only domestic league in Scotland due to return in August, after Championship, League One and League Two clubs voted to resume in October.
Meanwhile, Celtic right-back, Hatem Abd Elhamed, has made a case for Nigerian striker Nwakaeme ahead of the 2020/2021 season and calls for the signing of the striker.
The defender did acknowledge that there are indeed good players at Celtic, but the addition of Nwakaeme to the side will be vital.
“I play with some amazing players at Celtic, but there was a Nigerian player called Anthony Nwakaeme at my old club. He was unreal,” Hatem Abd Elhamed said in a Twitter Question and Answer session.
Elhamed was referring to their time together at Hapoel Be’er Sheva, where he scored 47 goals in three seasons.
In response to his recommendation, the club’s fans took up the gauntlet and asked that manager, Neil Lennon sign the Super Eagles star.
Nwakaeme has scored 11 league goals in 27 appearances for Turkish Super Lig giants, Trabzonspor, this season.