Sky Sports pundit tips Celtic to do profitable business with Ajax

By Patrick Sinat

April 18, 2023

Transfer news is not generally something that is spoken about at the business end of the season. Wrapping up titles and trebles is all that has been on the Celtic fans’ minds.

But after a story broke last night that Ajax are looking at Celtic winger Liel Abada, some supporters will be watching and waiting to hear if the little Israeli stays or goes.

Abada is a firm fan favourite at the club. His 27 goals and 18 assists in 95 appearances for Celtic have shown his importance to the team.

And after Sky Sports claimed that the Dutch club have shown interest, former Celtic striker Andy Walker has said that Celtic would likely be willing to do business with the Eredivisie second-placed side.

Speaking on The Go Radio Football Show, Walker said, “I think Celtic have shown over the last number of years that they are a club that are always willing to do business. And if Ajax are in for Abada, from memory, I think he’s got around 10 goals this season but he doesn’t play enough for himself.

“I think he’s fit. I think Celtic will do business. They will make a profit from him and they will go and get someone else. And you’ve got to say, he’s had a terrific attitude. He has been brilliant in big games.

“He’s been brilliant against Rangers. He has scored goals on the big occasion and has looked an exciting player. Celtic will miss him in as much the same way as they miss Giakoumakis and Juranovic. These guys come and go and you change the menu pretty regularly.”

Should Celtic sell Abada?

At just 21 years old and under contract until 2026, the ball is firmly in Celtic’s court here. There is no need to sell the winger from a financial perspective. But from a starting lineup point of view, we have shown that we are more than capable of coping without him.

Out of his 41 appearances this season, Abada has come off the bench 24 times. In fact, he has only ever completed 90 in the league once this season in the 2-1 win over Livingston back in December. [Transfermarkt]

There is no doubt he is a very useful squad player.

But looking at the attacking options we have and the emergence of Rocco Vata this weekend, the possibility of losing a player of Abada’s quality will not concern the fans as much as it would have in days gone by. Ange Postecoglou has shown he can smartly replace talents who leave Glasgow.

In other news, Martin O’Neill left in awe of Ange Postecoglou’s “simply unstoppable” Celtic.