Liel Abada attracting interest but Celtic hold all the aces

Celtic winger attracting interest…

Liel Abada is attracting loan interest from sides in England, France and Germany, according to a report by Stephen McGowan in Daily Mail – titled Israel’s Liel Abada eyes loan move away from Celtic to ease pressure from homeland over fans’ pro-Palestinian stance – as West Brom, Watford and Southampton look to land the 22-year-old.

Liel Abada Celtic, JULY 19, 2023 – Yokohama F.Marinos 6-4 Celtic FC at Nissan Stadium in Kanagawa, Japan.

West Brom, Southampton and Watford are the three English Championship clubs who are understood to be interested in a move for the Israeli international. In what was set to be a breakout year for Abada after the departure of key winger Jota in the summer, an injury in September prevented the winger from making any impact as he missed the first half of the season. Abada signed a long term contract extension which keeps him at Celtic until the summer of 2027, so Celtic are in no hurry to sell and won’t be doing so at any stage unless their valuation for the player is met.

The loan deals will be kicked into touch, you can be sure of that.

Conflict in his homeland, along with controversy surrounding The Green Brigade’s pro-Palestine stance has contributed to a tumultuous few months for Abada, who picked up his injury while away on international duty with Israel last September.

Celtic v Motherwell -Green Brigade protesters ahead of the cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Motherwell at Celtic Park, Saturday November 25, 2023. Photo Andrew Milligan

Brendan Rodgers brought the Israeli for dinner in October after the Green Brigade’s pro Palestine banners, with Rodgers insisting the player was “fine” and knew he had “the support of every true Celtic supporter”. McGowan published an article debating those claims two weeks ago, describing the unrest among many Israeli footballers and politicians at Abada’s place at Celtic amid pro-Palestine sentiment from much of the club’s fanbase.

Many fans at the time speculated the article was purposely sowing the seeds of doubt around the winger’s future, pre-empting a move could be on the horizon for the player this month.

Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Liel Abada in action during the Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on Sunday January 21, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

Brendan Rodgers is very reluctant to lose the winger, with Football Scotland reporting a few weeks ago that Rodgers believes Abada has a major role to play in the second half of the season- Liel Abada Celtic transfer stance as Brendan Rodgers bats away January loan interest – Football Scotland.

A potential loan move away stands as no benefit for the club on or off the pitch, with Abada offering a different dynamic to this Celtic attack, one which has lacked his goalscoring presence this season to date.

:Jota of Al-Ittihad Club gestures during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Ittihad and Al Hilal on September 01, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

The Israeli is a big asset to the club financially, and if the player wishes to move this window, you would imagine the club will demand a clean break and a sizeable transfer fee, as was the case six months ago when Jota left Celtic for a fee in excess of £25m.

As pointed out on The Celtic Star this morning Liel Abada was given a tremendous reception from the Celtic support at the weekend, thus backing up the words of advice given to him by Brendan Rodgers a few months ago.

James French