New signing Abada kept Celtic interest all to himself

It is typical for any overseas player receiving an offer from Celtic to contact friends and associates that possess good knowledge of the Parkhead club in order to glean instructive insights.

Liel Abada, in contrast, did not utter a word to anyone about a pursuit he first heard about almost two weeks ago - which concluded with the 19-year-old winger agreeing a four-year deal to make a £3.5million move from Maccabi Petah Tikva in his Israeli homeland on Thursday.

It wasn’t that Abada wouldn’t have had anyone to pass on info to him. Far from it, when he is represented by agent Dudu Dahan, who brokered the deals to take Nir Bitton, Hatem Abd Elhamed, Beram Kayal and Rami Gershon to Celtic, and was responsible for Ofir Marciano’s move to Hibs.

Instead, Abada kept schtum because the late collapse of a deal to take him to Dynamo Kiev in January was still raw, negotiations then falling apart because of the Ukrainian club’s demand he sign away his rights to resolve any contract disputes through FIFA and UEFA. That experience led to the teenager electing to breathe a word to no-one about Celtic’s interest.

“When that transfer didn't happen I preferred not to make too much noise this time,” he said, through an interpreter. “In Israel, almost nobody knew about my discussions with Celtic until just before I signed. Now? I am the happiest man in the world and I am happy to talk.

"I know that many players have come from Israel to Celtic in recent years but I had to keep things very discreet. But after I agreed everything then of course I called them. I spoke to Nir Bitton and Beram Kayal. Nir helped me a lot and gave me so much advice. Beram was also great with me. But since coming here I have spoken to a lot of people and they have also given me great information.

"My family have also supported me so much over the years and they have helped me a lot. I can't wait for them to come to Glasgow and watch me play for Celtic. They will be there for many games over the next few years.”

New boss Ange Postecoglou’s revitalising of Celtic’s attacking options took further shape with the £4.5m purchase of Japanese forward Kyogo Furuhashi from J1 League club Vissel Kobe yesterday. The 26-year-old isn’t expected in Scotland before the start of next week, making it highly unlikely he could be considered for Postecoglou’s competitive opener that will bring FC Midtjylland to Parkhead for Tuesday’s Champions League second round qualifier.

Following Abada’s first training session at Lennoxtown yesterday, the Israeli declared himself “ready to play” - whether that is in this evening’s friendly at home to Preston or the confrontation with the Danes.

“If the coach asks me [for either game] it is no problem. I will always try to give the maximum I can for the team,” he said.