Celtic boss left disheartened by Israeli’s exit and circumstances surrounding it Abada described the situation as “desperately sad,” but it was best for everyone when the Israel international joined Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer.
After Abada’s last appearance for Celtic, on February 7, in a 2-1 victory over Hibs, Rodgers thought he was unable to concentrate on playing at his best. Due to Celtic supporters’ support for the Palestinian people, the 22-year-old had under intense criticism in his native country. One international teammate had even openly advised him to go on. Before sustaining a thigh injury that sidelined him for almost four months, the winger inked a new four-year contract in September of last year.
bemoaned the loss of the opportunity to work with a player who scored 29 goals in 112 appearances. “Firstly, it’s desperately sad, the whole situation,” the Celtic boss said. “A fantastic young player, came here as a 19-year-old, to another country and lit up the field with so many fantastic goals and had a really successful period. Whatever doubts he had in the summer, he was really happy to commit and sign a new deal.
It’s terribly sad because I was really, really looking forward to working with him over a period of time and seeing if we could develop his game, but if you look back, he has created some wonderful memories here at Celtic and I’m sure Glasgow will have a big place in his heart. And now, through probably no fault of his own or the club’s, he has had to leave to take his career elsewhere. I spoke to Liel on Monday evening, we had him round the house, because I knew he was going to be traveling the next morning.
The situation flared up the day after the October 7 attacks in Israel when banners among Celtic fans which read “Free Palestine” and “Victory to the resistance” drew anger in Israel, including from former Hoops midfielder Nir Bitton. Abada was given a huge ovation when he made his comeback against Rangers on December 30 but he did not rediscover his spark and he disappeared down the tunnel at Easter Road while his colleagues celebrated a last-gasp win after what proved to be a quiet, final appearance for Celtic.
“He was training every day, committed to his work, he is a top professional. But the situation, how it evolved, it felt very difficult. And football is a game very much of the mind; if you’re not quite focused or if you can’t put something aside, something as big as this, then of course it becomes very, very difficult to be at your very, very best. Sadly, that was the case for him. We spoke most days, just checking in to make sure he was OK, seeing him in his training, but ultimately he wants to play football. And when it got to the point where I felt there was no chance, we both looked at
When asked whether pressure from Israel was weighing heavily on the player, Rodgers said: “It’s clearly a situation that was unplanned, and wherever it comes from, there were multiple reasons not to be in that frame of mind. But, listen, it’s done now. He has moved on, had a great two-and-a-half years, done very well, and we have to move on.”
