Abada is happy to noise up Rangers and twist title knife
IN many respects, it was a moment and an occasion which mirrored the Premiership season to date. With Rangers flat-footed and slow to react, a resurgent Celtic caught them napping and raced into a lead which they would not relinquish.
Liel Abada epitomised what Celtic were all about that night in early February when they went top of the table for the first time after demolishing their great rivals with a fusillade of first-half goals.
As Reo Hatate found a yard of space on the left, the Israeli winger raced past the static figure of Borna Barisic and clipped a volley past Allan McGregor.
The wild celebrations that followed acknowledged not just a job done on the night but the fact that Ange Postecoglou’s side were now cast in the role of the hunted for the first time this season.
‘It was such an amazing atmosphere,’ Abada reflected. ‘It’s always fun to score against Rangers. It’s a great feeling to score against your biggest rivals.
‘I was happy to give the supporters a big result. The most important thing was we won the game and collected the three points.
‘Was it the best atmosphere I have experienced? Of course. I’m only 20 but I played in some big games in Israel. But this was amazing.
‘If we win on Sunday, could it be even better? Of course.
‘The atmosphere is always amazing inside Celtic Park but if we win the championship? I don’t even know what it will be like.’
A victory for Postecoglou’s side on Sunday won’t yet see the trophy handed over but the engraver would have no reason to procrastinate.
With just three games remaining, the establishment of a nine-point gap and a goal difference at least 21 superior to their rivals would be an unassailable position for Celtic — no matter what the pedants might say.
A title that was the stuff of fantasy for Postecoglou’s new-look squad when they lost three of their first six games is now tantalisingly close.
Yet with Rangers requiring nothing less than a victory to revive their flagging hopes of yet retaining the trophy, no one — least of all the Australian’s players — is anticipating a rerun of the midweek mauling.
‘It’s been a really good season for us but we have a goal and we need to complete it,’ added Abada. ‘We have to focus on an important game on Sunday.
‘We want to play at a high level and we try to win everything.
‘This is Celtic and we play for the fans. If we take the championship it will be a dream season for us.
‘We can talk about that afterwards — the focus is on Sunday and completing our goal.’
Even a defeat for Celtic on Sunday would only be viewed as a bump on the road as opposed to a head-on collision.
Truth be told, the chequered flag has been in sight since the day they opened up a six-point advantage by beating Rangers at Ibrox earlier this month.
Abada has more than played his part in turning a squad which looked lost last August into one which is closing in on glory.
Celtic paid £3.6million to
Maccabi Petah Tikva for his signature a year back but 15 goals and 11 assists has been a fine early return on that investment.
‘I had high expectations from myself when I arrived here,’ he said. ‘I wanted to achieve the best I can and all of my team-mates and coaches have helped me do that.
‘I always had big expectations, even as a young player coming to a big football club like Celtic.
‘It’s about working as hard as you can for the team and for the supporters.’
Abada won’t turn 21 until later this year. If this is him settling into a new environment, heaven help his opponents when he gets up to speed.
Asked if there was more to come, he said: ‘I’ll continue to work hard and give 100 per cent in every game and every training session for years to come.
‘It was difficult coming here at first as a young player. But I am a footballer who has a dream and I want to improve.
‘Celtic are a very warm club with passionate supporters. I feel right at home now.
‘We feel very united in the dressing room as well. There is a
great atmosphere and we are all there for each other.’
Nir Bitton takes much of the credit for this seamless transition to Scottish life. Abada’s fellow Israel international has relished the task of ensuring one of the hottest talents to have come out of his country in years has wanted for nothing.
‘I want to thank the fans, the coaches and particularly Nir,’ Abada added. ‘Nir has become like a big brother to me. When I came there he made sure I had everything I need.
‘On top of being a really good player, he’s a top human being. Nir and his family have really helped me settle in Glasgow. I can’t explain how much he’s helped.
‘He even cooks for me! I’m not sure about washing my clothes but he’s really done a lot.’
Content with life off the field, Abada’s natural talent has flourished on it. Recognition of the pivotal role he has played in the club’s revival is ubiquitous.
‘It’s great fun to see all the love and appreciation you get from the supporters when I am in the city,’ he smiled.
‘Everyone is so good when you talk to them in the street. I just want to repay them.’
Regaining the title they relinquished so meekly a year ago would certainly tick that box. If, or more likely when, Celtic do get over the line, the achievement will be seen as a true team effort.
Within that, there have been some conspicuous individual contributions. Kyogo Furuhashi earlier in the campaign, Giorgos Giakoumakis in the second half and Joe Hart, Tom Rogic and Cameron Carter-Vickers throughout it.
Pushed on the one name who has made the most difference, though, and Abada’s choice would find few arguments.
‘Callum McGregor has been the most important player in the squad,’ he stated. ‘He’s looked after everyone and kept us all together. He has been very good for us.
‘But if I could give an award to every player in the squad I would do it — because they all deserve it.’