What’s the story with Liel Abada?

Liel Abada yet again has the Celtic supporters questioning his future at the club following the match at Easter Road last night against Hibs. And not for the first time since his return from injury Abada headed straight up the tunnel at full time and was absent as the rest of the players took the acclaim of the supporters, the ones who pay significant sums of money to support the team and ultimately pay the players’ wages.

There is clearly something wrong with Liel Abada regarding his relationship with the Celtic supporters, it doesn’t take a genius to recognise that or to figure out what it cold be all about. Without going into all the details, we all know the reasons why. I sympathise with Liel like all Celtic supporters do, but his refusal to acknowledge the supporters is not the cleverest thing to do.

Liel Abada reacts after missing a scoring chance. Celtic v Buckie Thistle, Scottish Cup, Celtic Park, 21 Jan 2024 Photo Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

We can all respect Liel’s allegiances to his country, he’s a patriotic guy, that’s fine, but he too has got to respect the opinions of the Celtic supporters who pay his wages. It’s a two way street. The support has acted superbly towards Abada since his return, despite his lack of match sharpness and subdued form.  No Celtic supporter at all holds anything against the player for what is happening in Gaza. His own views on that conflict is not been held against him by the support yet it appears that he is not prepared to afford the wider Celtic support the same consideration.

It’s obvious that certain individuals from his country are influencing his thinking. That’s not just speculation as a number of Israeli players in other leagues have faced the same pressures from their homeland regarding the current climate.

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

The Celtic supporters have been nothing but welcoming to Liel since his return to the side, the standing ovation he received when he made his comeback at Celtic Park against Buckie Thistle is testament to that. He’s been made very welcome here and always has been, (“We’ve got Abada he’s on the wing,”)  but snubbing the Celtic supporters is just asking for bad feeling.

And it’s not just his refusal to acknowledge the supporters, it’s also the matter of his form since he came back from injury. To say he looks disinterested would be an understatement. His antics last night when he came off the bench and after the final whistle when everyone in the Celtic camp – except Abada – celebrated what looked like a significant victory, has certainly got the Celtic supporters talking about him.

That’s a recipe for disaster. We are a club welcome to all, but we don’t take too kindly to players who refuse to give their all in a Celtic shirt.

3rd February 2024 Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Scotland Scottish Premiership Football, Aberdeen versus Celtic Liel Abada of Celtic on the ball.  ActionPlus. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

If Liel wants to leave that’s fine, but he’s got to give one hundred percent on the pitch until he inevitably leaves the club. Meanwhile he should set about earning the substantially increased pay-packet following on from the new contract he was happy to sign just a few months ago.

While he’s here we will give him our backing all we are asking for is his best efforts on the park and perhaps some courtesy towards the support as a bonus. But he’s got to produce the goods on the park to justify a place in Brendan Rodgers’ team and when he gets on he should be prepared to acknowledge the supporters.

Anything less won’t be tolerated for much longer.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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