Rangers failed to make it to either of the Cup finals last season. But they have made it through this time defeating Hearts in the Scottish League Cup final and are set to lock horns with Celtic next month at Hampden Park. The Hoops would look to defend the title for the fourth time in a row but have been dealt a major blow following the groin injury of Hatem Abd Elhamed that would rule the right-back out for around six weeks, according to the Scottish Sun.
The absence of the Israel international has been deemed as an advantage to Rangers by Celtic legend Chris Sutton. The famous centre-forward has labelled ‘Elhamed’ as the club’s best ‘defensive fullback’ and is worried about Ryan Kent’s influence from that flank.
“In terms of match-ups in the Betfred Cup Final, I’d say defensively it’s a big loss for Celtic when you look at Rangers in the wide area and it looks like it might be Ryan Kent on that side.
“So you’d have to say it’s an advantage for Rangers that Celtic are missing their first choice and best defensive full-back for such a huge game.”
Sutton highlighted his concern while writing his opinion for the Daily Record.
What Would Celtic Lack Without Elhamed?
Although he was a little-known name before plying his trade to Parkhead from Hapoel Be’er Sheva, the performance at Ibrox in September’s Old Firm derby earned Elhamed massive plaudits from the fans as well as pundits.
He not only nullified the Gers’ threat from the left flank but also kept on making marauding runs to link up with James Forrest and whip in crosses inside the box. Elhamed knows how to balance his game between attack and defence and such maturity has helped him settle in the Scottish environment soon after the arrival.
What Should Lennon Do To Overcome The Crisis
Neil Lennon, however, has quality alternatives in Moritz Bauer and the teenage sensation Jeremie Frimpong. Both are attacking-minded, adventurous and creative from the wide, and therefore, hold the attributes one must possess to flourish in modern-day football.
Yet a game between Celtic and Rangers demands more. The players must stay calm against hostility and should not react under provocation. This might see Lennon tweaking the set-up a bit and deploy Kristoffer Ajer on the right-hand side of the Bhoys’ backline. Nir Lennon would slot in deep defence alongside Christopher Jullien, and the presence of Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo down the left would restore the stability and resilience against an energetic attacking line.
