Celtic defender Hatem Abd Elhamed has revealed he couldn't breathe while playing for Israel against the Czech Republic.
He tested positive for Covid-19 the day after his side's 2-1 Nations League defeat. That led to him joining Odsonne Edouard and countryman Nir Bitton in missing Celtic's 2-0 loss against Rangers due to positive tests.
Now Elhamed has discussed his own experience of the virus.
Speaking on the Hapodium podcast as translated by Celts Are Here, Elhamed said: "Now I'm fine, for several days it's been okay, I feel great. I think I'm after it - the 11th day after the positive Covid-19 test.
"It started on the day of our game against Czech Republic. Three hours before the match I started to feel weird.
"I checked my temperature, and since I didn't have fever i thought it might be the busy schedule or maybe from the air conditioning.
"A day before the match I got a negative test so I assumed there is not a chance I'm positive now. That's the problem with this pandemic, you never really know.
"So I played and from the start I knew something was wrong. I couldn't breathe, my body was so tired, I felt something was wrong.
"But I kept playing until the end - a big mistake. But I won't leave a match unless i can't walk on my own power.
"After the match I almost collapsed, went into a side room at the stadium, drank a lot and took some pills from our doctor. I took a taxi home to self quarantine and the next day I tested positive."
Neil Lennon's side aim to put their derby defeat behind them on Thursday night when they face Milan at Celtic Park in the Europa League.
