Liel Abada has leaped to the defence of Scottish football in a media interview back in his homeland of Israel.
Abada has produced a stunning debut campaign at Celtic Park that has produced 15 goals and 11 assists [Transfermarkt]. It marks an incredible first season in Scotland that ended with a Premiership and League Cup double for the Hoops.
Abada’s next goal will be to make an impact in the UEFA Champions League next season to help bolster his reputation. Especially considering how disrespectfully some tend to view domestic achievements in Scotland.
And Abada has defended Scottish football in an interview with Israeli outlet Sport 5, as he outlined his happiness with how he’s developed in his first year:
“I came with expectations of myself at Celtic. Over time, I worked hard in training and games. I got to get an Israeli in the group like Nir and he helped me acclimatise quickly. I’m very happy about this season personally and collectively. I’m a man who believes in himself and his abilities. I’m very happy with this season.
“A lot of people know about the rivalry [with Rangers]. Every game is important for the club and the fans. It’s a crazy atmosphere. It’s hard to explain in words. I don’t want to compare this league to the league in Israel. Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Avi – their games have a crazy atmosphere.
“The league in Scotland is very tough and good. A lot of people underestimate it, but it’s a good league. Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv could compete at the top. These are strong clubs playing in Europe.”
Liel Abada defends Scottish football as he expressed Celtic happiness in interview
Credit to Abada for defending the game in Scotland. It certainly comes in for far too much criticism from those who haven’t actually experienced life here.
It’s not about the quality of teams you come up against when playing for Celtic. We all know games against the likes of Livingston, Dundee United, and St Johnstone just to name a few should be won comfortably. It’s to do with the intensity and ferociousness of playing for the Hoops.
There’s a reason we don’t always win games against the teams listed above. The mental capacity required to play for Celtic is more than sizeable. It takes a special kind of mentality to be a success in Glasgow. That, in turn, makes winning the league championship a lot more difficult.
Abada is one of the players who has shown an exceptional improvement as the season has gone on. He’s provided some big moments for the club and is clearly one of our most talented players despite only being 20 years of age.
But at the same time, he’s also endured his challenges. Let’s not forget that Ange has often gone with Daizen Maeda and Jota on the flanks respectively. So Liel knows just how difficult it is to hold down a place at Parkhead and produce consistently.
Big props to him for letting Israeli media know exactly how difficult it is here.
In other news, Giorgos Giakoumakis tells Celtic supporters what they can expect from him next season
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