If there was ever a credible source for a transfer, then the player in question’s father would surely rank quite highly.
This is the case for reported Celtic target Liel Abada – after just over a day of intense speculation, the speculated £3.5million deal has been described as ‘having extreme confidence of being done’, according to his father.
The Israeli attacker, 19, was on the verge of a deserved move to Dynamo Kyiv last winter, only for the move to break down – leaving Liel and his family extremely disheartened at the prospect of European Football being snatched away from them. However, fast forward a year, and it appears that Abada is set to live his dream as Ange Postecoglou and the Celtic board purchase his attacking prowess for the princely sum of £3.5million, from his hometown side Maccabi Petah Tikva.
Abada, who has already been capped once for his national side, finished as the second top scorer in the Israeli Premier League last season, with a respectable 12 goals – enough to fire his team to the Championship stage of the division (similar to the SPFL’s split after 33 games); although his exploits fell in vain, as HaLuzonim finished just two points away from finishing in the Europa Conference League, and as such a move away was imminent. Kyiv beckoned, but after a contract dispute in which he would’ve lost 80% of his wage, Liel’s father is a relieved man at moving to Glasgow.
Speaking to The Daily Record, he said: “We were severely burned from the saga with Dynamo Kyiv. It was extremely difficult for Liel to pick up the pieces after that deal collapsed. This time, we have been very careful with the negotiations with Celtic and we are extremely confident that he will sign.
“Not many boys of his age would have been able to bounce back from that kind of disappointment and deal with the expectations after that. He will be in good hands at Celtic and we are waiting at home for the news to be confirmed.”
It seems a genuine shame that Abada didn’t move to Kyiv; however, the way the saga panned out, it seems all he needs is an understanding club who will nurture him to the best of his talents. Under attacking manager Ange Postecoglou, Celtic could be just the club for him…
