Celtic winger Liel Abada helped Israel under-21s reach the 2023 European Championship finals taking place in Georgia/Romania next summer.
The 20-year-old has had a blistering 12 months since making the move to Glasgow as one of Ange Postecoglou’s first key pieces of transfer business.
Abada enjoyed a brilliant 2021/22 campaign, providing 26 goal contributions across his 54 appearances, helping the Bhoys to League and Cup success.
After just ten games this season, the wide player is well on his way to another impressive total, having already scored six goals in the Scottish Premiership.
That sort of form is usually enough to get you a call-up to the men’s senior national team, and that is exactly what happened in Abada’s case.
The talented winger has been tipped to become one of the country’s main attacking stars after making his first start for his nation earlier this year and scoring in a victory against Iceland.
Last Saturday, Abada featured for Israel as they secured promotion to the UEFA Nations League with a 2-1 win over Albania.
For the rest of his international teammates, a friendly against Malta took place on Tuesday. However, Abada was asked to go and help out the Israel under-21s side as they aimed for qualification to the European Championships next year.
Israel faced up against a talented Ireland side, and with the tie in the balance after the first leg, having Abada available was likely to be a huge boost.
Ahead of the game, there were fears that the Celtic man may not be available after picking up a knock whilst away with the first team.
However, to the relief of Celtic supporters, the attacker was named in the under-21s starting 11 as they attempted to earn qualification.
Abada played 97 minutes of the game as it went into extra-time and penalties with both teams’ level and not being separated across the 120 minutes of play.
Ultimately, it was Israel who came out on top, winning 3-1 in the shootout, and they will now be heading to the European Championships taking place in Georgia/Romania next summer.
By the time the competition rolls around, Abada will still be available to play his part, which could see him jet off to play for his nation.
Liel Abada’s tiring international break could mean winger misses Motherwell game.
Although Celtic fans were glad to see the wideman feature for his nation, meaning his injury knock wasn’t as bad as first feared, his involvement in extra-time could result in him missing the Bhoys’ return to domestic action on Saturday.
Abada was brought off early into extra-time, with his manager claiming that the winger was exhausted after arriving with a knock and playing his part for 97 minutes in the game.
The attacking depth Ange Postecoglou has at his disposal is likely to mean that if Abada is fit enough for this weekend’s fixture, he will be rested.
The Hoops have an extremely busy schedule ahead of them in the coming weeks and months, so the Celtic boss will want all his players fit and ready to go.
Abada will be buzzing off the back of this achievement in any case, and he will be looking forward to getting back to playing at Celtic Park.
Congratulations to the winger on achieving qualification, and I am sure a place in the squad will be open for him next summer.
In other news, Referee set for first Celtic fixture of the season in Motherwell clash.
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