Liel Abada wants to stay at Celtic after having a conversation with manager Brendan Rodgers. Since arriving in the summer of 2021, Abada has been an excellent acquisition by Celtic and now, it looks as if he will be continuing in the Green and White.

The Scottish Champions had been braced for approaches for the highly-rated winger after there had been a suggestion that Abada was unhappy with his game time under Ange Postecoglou. However, given the departure of Jota, there is a natural opening in the starting XI.

Liel Abada Celtic, JULY 19, 2023 – Football / Soccer : Friendly match between Yokohama F.Marinos 6-4 Celtic FC at Nissan Stadium in Kanagawa, Japan.

As reported by Record Sport, Rodgers revealed that he had spoken with Abada when he arrived back at the club and the Irishman believes that he can take Abada’s game to the next level.

“We had a nice conversation, a really open conversation, when I came in. He sat in the office and I just wanted to know what his ambitions were and what he wanted to achieve. He is very keen and he really wants to be here to improve. But he also understands there needs to be competition when you are at a top club. That pushes you.

“Overall I like his game when I was watching from afar. I like his runs and he has a real killer instinct in front of goal.

“You don’t get that many goals unless you want to score – which I love. There are other areas we can look at to help him get to another level.”

Celtic v Dundee United – Liel Abada celebrates scoring their side s fourth goal of the game during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday November 5, 2022. Photo Andrew Milligan

In 101 appearances, Abada has assisted 20 times while netting on 28 occasions. The numbers are spectacular for a player of his age and there is a feeling that the player can go further under the coaching of Rodgers. It is an exciting update that the manager has been able to chat with the player and get him back onside.

Celtic should get Abada signed up on a new long-term deal to protect their asset on the basis that the player will eventually move on. Players will be able to look at Rodgers’ track record when it comes to developing players and be keen to work with him and improve. Abada is quite right in understanding that he finds himself in an enviable position and one that can impact his trajectory as a player.