Despite the departure of Nir Bitton last summer, Liel Abada‘s future at Celtic may not be as precarious as some fans fear.
Abada made a big money move from Maccabi Petah Tikva as a 19–year–old and has since gone on to become a key player for the Hoops, picking up the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award in his debut season and, despite struggling for minutes this season, he’s been nominated for another YPOTY award in his second season at Celltic.
The winger admitted that he relied heavily on Bitton in his first year, who even looked after his laundry, but he has since learned to stand on his own two feet and feels right at home in Glasgow.
Abada still speaks with his former teammate and good pal, who gives him advice and guidance, while he is also supported by the Israeli community in the city.
He explained: [Daily Record]
“When I came to Scotland I was 19 years-old. It was very different for me, a different country with no family around me and sometimes it was difficult.
“I was alone here without my girlfriend or anyone else. I had Niro here with me at Celtic and he really looked after me.
“There are also a lot of Israeli people in Glasgow who helped me and made me feel good here and happy here. I now feel my language is better. It was difficult when Niro left Celtic because he was the one in the dressing room I had the best relationship with.
“After he left it was a little bit sad for me but also it helped me speak with the other boys and work on my English with the staff. It made me do other things that I didn’t do before because Niro looked after me. But I feel good. I don’t have Niro of his family helping me like they did before but I’m okay. My girlfriend is here with me now and that helps.”
He continued:
“I still speak with Niro a lot. He watches all of the Celtic games because Celtic is in his heart. He was here for nine years and it’s not easy to leave after that length of time.
“We speak a lot and sometimes he tells me what to do and what not to do – he thinks he’s the coach! But my relationship with Niro is still very good. I really love him.
“Like I say, I also have Israeli people in Glasgow who help me. Some of them are family from my dad’s side. If I need anything I just need to call them and they help.”
