ABADA WON’T LEAVE HOOPS
Celts calm over Israeli winger Liel
CELTIC fully expect Liel Abada to play a key role in the second half of the season despite mounting speculation over the Israeli winger’s future.
Boss Brendan Rodgers has held a series of heart-to-heart conversations with Abada since the outbreak of war in the middle east at the beginning of October when Hamas launched an attack on the player’s homeland.
A number of prominent Israeli voices have called on the 22-year-old to find a new club following a raft of high profile pro-palestinian protests from a section of Celtic’s support following Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza.
And fears over Abada’s position have ramped up after the SPFL champions launched a £3m move to sign Rapid
Vienna wide man
Nicolas Kuhn, with negotiations between the two clubs continuing yesterday.
But it is understood that at no point in his discussions with Rodgers, has Abada asked to be sold or even to leave the club on loan until the situation back home has been stabilised.
And Rodgers is now plotting ahead for the push towards the title with Abada playing a significant part of his plans.
Rather than lose quality, the Irishman is hoping to add to his attacking options and Celtic remain hopeful they can see off some stiff competition to secure a deal for 24-year-old German Kuhn (left) in the coming days.
Last night Rapid Vienna sporting director Markus Katzer confirmed: “In principle, I don’t want to comment on any rumours.
“But I can confirm that we actually have concrete offers on the table for Nicolas Kuhn, but I don’t want to name the interested clubs.”