Kayal believes Israel possess the firepower to shock Scotland
BERAM KAYAL reckons the Israel strike force of Eran Zahavi and Moanes Dabour is capable of troubling any defence in the world. Yet when the former Celtic midfielder looks at the spread of Premier League talent available to Steve Clarke, he concedes it’s Scotland who retain the greater strength i n depth going into Thursday’s Euro 2020 play-off.
Backed by a Hampden crowd, Kayal would normally expect Scotland to prevail. But as Covid continues to constrict and distort our normal way of life, he reckons last month’s Nations League dry run between the sides offered proof of the levelling properties of an empty stadium.
Recently signed to PSV Eindhoven, Zahavi scored in that 1-1 draw having previously joined Kayal on the scoresheet on the team’s prior visit to Hampden, a 3-2 defeat in 2018.
Zahavi’s total of 11 goals i n the Euro 2020 qualifiers was bettered only by Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo, each of whom needed penalties to exceed the 33-year-old’s remarkable haul from open play.
Dabour, meanwhile, made his name at Salzburg and commanded a £12million fee when he transferred from Sevilla to Bundesliga side Hoffenheim earlier this year.
‘People in Israel are really excited about this game,’ says Kayal. ‘If the fans were there, I would say the chances are 60-40 in favour of Scotland. Now it is 50-50. The fans and atmosphere at Hampden Park is big for me and it can only help us that there are no fans.
‘We have two special players in Zahavi and Dabour. If you give them the ball around the box, they can score and they have proved that at the highest level in Europe.
‘Zahavi has been scoring lots for Israel and Dabour scored against Bayern Munich last week. If they are fit, they can threaten any defence in the world.’
Without a club after departing Brighton when his contract expired in July, Kayal will not be involved in this Thursday’s one-off semi-final tie. Yet he dearly hopes his team-mates can get the job done and give him a crack at playing at the finals next summer.
Israel’s appearance at the 1970 World Cup remains its only qualification for a major tournament, a statistic that puts Scotland’s 23-year wait in some perspective.
While Willi Ruttensteiner’s team will come to Glasgow buoyed by their showing in last month’s match, Kayal believes it’s Scotland who remain the stronger team.
‘Israel played really well last time but let’s be honest, man,’ he states. ‘Most of our players had played three or four league games before they came to Glasgow.
‘The Scotland players had not played so many. The Premier
League had not started yet, neither had the Championship, the two leagues where you have the majority of players.
‘Now, most of your guys are match ready. It’s going to be a different scenario.
‘Every result like that builds confidence but we know how to analyse the opposition. Scotland were not ready to play that game.’ With Ryan Fraser back playing
following his move to
Newcastle, Kayal reckons the absence of James Forrest, scorer of a hat-trick in the 3-2 game, should not be too much of a hindrance.
However, he does believe that Scotland are still struggling to replace another of his old Celtic team-mates who is long retired from the international arena.
‘Maybe you are missing a Scott Brown,’ reflects Kayal. ‘A guy in the middle who will drive the team on. But you have a lot of talented players and on a good day they can express themselves against any team. ‘Stuart Armstrong has played a few games for Southampton and John McGinn is in a good rhythm at Aston Villa. You have (Andy) Robertson and (Kieran) Tierney, both in the same area, so Scotland have many players at the top level.
‘I didn’t realise James was out for this game but you have Fraser back.
‘Maybe you don’t always see the things you want at international level but, listen, the coach’s job is hard because he must collect all these talented players and make them into a team.’
Kayal ranks his opener against Scotland two years ago, a swirling 25-yard strike, as among the best moments of his career.
Already feeling emotional at returning to Glasgow for the first time since leaving Celtic for Brighton in 2015, he curbed his celebrations.
‘With all the things around that game it was a special goal and a special moment,’ he recalls. ‘I didn’t want to celebrate, I just put my hands up.
’It was a great game, James got a hat-trick and you guys finished top of the group. Well done.’
Even without Forrest and Kayal, there will be a strong Celtic connection this week. In dark blue will be Ryan Christie and Callum McGregor, while Hatem Abd Elhamed will be in Israel’s defence.
Nir Bitton will meet up with the squad but has been ruled of action by his club manager after sustaining an ankle injury in midweek.
Kayal’s £1.2m transfer from Maccabi Haifa in 2010 helped establish the Israeli connection at Parkhead and it transpires he actually helped persuade his old boss Lennon to move for Elhamed last year.
‘Hatem is really quick, really talented,’ he adds. ‘Lenny asked me about him before he signed and I said do it. Because you could see he had the ability to play for Celtic.’
Israel changed coaches in June when Andi Herzog, installed at the outset of the First Nations League campaign, decided to step down.
Fellow Austrian Ruttensteiner was already working with the Israeli FA and has provided a smooth transition for the players.
‘He has kept the same system and the things Andi brought in and it’s working well,’ says Kayal.
Zahavi and Dabour, if fit, can threaten any defence in the world