LIEL ABADA has thanked his manager Ange Postecoglou for giving him the confidence and the platform to show what he can do during his first season in Scottish football.
The Israeli winger capped off a fine campaign on Sunday night when he was named the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year, a reward for a maiden season at Celtic where he has chipped in with 15 goals from the right of the attack – some of which have been crucial to his side’s impending title triumph.
The 20-year-old has said that none of it would have been possible without the faith shown in him by Postecoglou though, who persuaded Celtic to part with £3.5m to bring him to the club from Maccabi Petah Tikva, and has given him frequent opportunities to impress at first-team level.
“The manager has been really very good for me,” Abada said.
“He has also given me confidence. I came here and I am just young and I really want to improve and he has given me the platform to do that.
“He has put his trust in me, but all the players and fans and coaches have given me great confidence. I am really happy about that and I would like to thank them all.
“Now I am focusing on doing my best for the team, the fans, everyone.”
Abada isn’t about to settle on his laurels though, with securing the title beyond any scintilla of doubt the very first thing on his agenda, before looking ahead to reaching new heights at the club in the future.
“I have a lot of dreams,” he said. “We need to complete our goal. We want to win the league and that is what our focus is on right now. All my focus is on Celtic right now.
“It’s a great moment for me. This is only my first season at Celtic and I am very happy to be here. I would like to say thank you for everybody’s support.
“Could I have imagined my first season would go as well as this? I just wanted to do the best I can for the team, for the fans, for everyone and for myself as well.
“I am really happy and all the players and fans and coaches have given me the confidence to perform.
“And Nir Bitton has also helped me a lot after I came to Scotland. That was good for me. I’m just really happy.”
