Winger Liel Abada offered a veiled update on his lack of Celtic starts, claiming there are "things behind" his lack of starting minutes at Parkhead this season.
He was named as the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year last term as the 21-year-old chipped in with 15 goals and 11 assists during his debut Scottish Premiership campaign, as well as making his breakthrough for the Israel national side. However, with the added competition of the likes of Sead Hakasabanovic and the form of Jota and Daizen Maeda he has struggled for regular Celtic minutes this term.
Abada was handed his first start since January in the win over Hearts on Wednesday as a reward for coming off the bench to net his 12th goal of the campaign against St Mirren a few days earlier. And speaking to Israeli outlet Sport 5 ahead of next month's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Kosovo and Switzerland Abada was asked about his lack of a regular starting spot. He said: "I'm coming on as a substitute, there are things behind it that people don't know. I don't want to go into too much detail."
Israel boss Alon Hazan said that Abada's lack of game time could be down to him not agreeing a contract extension on improved terms, as his current deal has three-and-a-half years to run. He said: “Maybe his situation is because he didn’t want to extend his contract."
But, following his starring sub role against the Buddies, boss Ange Postecoglou refused to praise Abada for not taking the huff over his lack of starts. The hardline Aussie said: “What do you reckon would happen to players who throw their toys out of the pram, mate?” But he hailed the "extraordinary" numbers that the prospect has returned since arriving at Celtic Park but admitted he had improvements to make around "decision-making during games and how he can best use the talents he has." And added: "He’s a really ambitious guy who wants to be at a big football club. He wants to win things and be the best he can be. That’s exactly where he is at. All our players, particularly the younger ones who want to go on to further opportunities, maybe to a stronger league, do you think they are going to go to a club where they are guaranteed game time? No, so it’s no different here. We are a big club. Nothing is guaranteed. You’ve got to earn everything and these boys do that."
The winger has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Southampton named as an interested suitor in January. But Abada’s contract at Parkhead runs until 2026 and the champions and Postecoglou appear dead set on keeping him in Glasgow's east end long term.
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