Israeli aces Nir Bitton and Liel Abada can cover Celtic ’s crushing long-term losses of Callum McGregor and Kyogo Furuhashi.
That’s the verdict of their former gaffer Guy Luzon who believes the duo have all the tools to offset the nightmare absences of the Hoops’ big guns in a crunch period of the campaign.
The former Charlton and Standard Liege boss played a big role in helping both boys clinch their moves to the east end of Glasgow.
And with boss Ange Postecoglou needing individuals to step into the breach left by his missing captain and top scorer, Luzon has no doubts Bitton and Abada can keep producing while their star colleagues are sidelined.
With McGregor set to sit out six weeks due to a facial injury and David Turnbull already on the crock list, Bitton will be key in the engine room.
Now 30 years old and part of the Parkhead furniture, he took the armband twice last month and led Postecoglou’s team to victories over Real Betis and St Johnstone as stand-in skipper.
Luzon had Bitton as his Israel Under-21 skipper as he rose through the ranks and is adamant he has the mindset and nous to handle the scenario.
He said: “Nir is a guy who has had many years and experiences at Celtic and he is also a top character.
“When he arrived at Celtic, I bet that he would keep going up to the English Premier League.
“But Celtic are such a big club in Britain and to be a player there is like being a player at some of the clubs in the Premier League.
“It’s the same level and, in fact, Celtic are a bigger club overall than lots of clubs in that league.
“Nir was my captain in the Under-21 team and has been there for many seasons.
“He has kept his play at the levels and knows what is needed there to succeed.”
Abada is more recent on the scene but has already made a big impact since arriving from Maccabi Petah Tikva in July. And Luzon has no doubts he’ll keep growing as he becomes stronger and more experienced.
More responsibility will fall on the 20-year-old, with 16-goal frontman Kyogo facing a lengthy period out due to his hamstring problem. Daizen Maeda staked his claim for the permanent role with a goal on his debut against Hibs eight days ago but is now on World Cup qualifying duty with Japan.
Giorgos Giakoumakis is back fit and struck against Alloa in the Scottish Cup when handed his chance.
However, Abada was also on target against the Wasps and scored three in four games before the winter break as a No.9 to further prove his prowess.
Only Kyogo has scored more for Postecoglou this campaign with Abada’s tally now at 11, which comes as no real shock to Luzon. He was his gaffer at Maccabi Petah Tikva and dished out the first-team opportunity to the starlet, which paved the way for his Hoops move.
Luzon said: “Liel’s finishing is absolutely top class. He is quality.
“He is one of the best finishers I have seen. He knows exactly where to score and how to do it.
“Liel can play both in the wide area as a pure winger on the right side of the 4-3-3 and he can also be a striker in the central areas because he has the right movements.
“He knows when to move and how to move at the correct times to finish off attacks. I really don’t know what the best position is for him at Celtic because I feel that he can play both of them just as well.”
Luzon believes the presence of Bitton at Parkhead will also have played a key role in the way the youngster has settled into life at Celtic.
He added: “Nir being there would be a big help to Liel.
“That would have helped him a lot to adapt to the club and to Scottish football.”
