Brendan Rodgers reveals Celtic transfer plans for NEXT season as excited boss itching to fire things up

Brendan Rodgers says the Liel Abada saga WON’T stop him signing Israeli players for Celtic.

The Hoops boss expressed his sadness last week when the winger was sold to MLS side Charlotte FC. Abada had barely featured in Rodgers’ team since returning from injury in December. Two months previously, his country went to war with Palestine whose flags are regularly waved by supporters at Parkhead.

From then, Abada wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play for the club. Despite Rodgers’ efforts to try to resolve the situation, the 22-year-old felt pressure from fellow Israelis, given Celtic fans’ support for Palestine. Eventually, the manager had to admit defeat and let Abada go to America for a fee of around £6.5million.

But Rodgers is adamant the controversy around Abada at Celtic won’t put him off bringing a player from Israel to Glasgow if it will improve his side. When asked if it would stop him signing an Israeli in the future, he said: “No, because I just want good players. It doesn’t matter where they are from.

“We want good players here, whatever nationality or creed. We want players who come here, fit into the culture and develop. This is an incredible club to come to, where you learn how to be a winner, and to deal with pressure and expectation.

“With a player from any nationality, they have to fit the culture and manner that we want to work in. But it certainly wouldn’t stop me, no.”

After the departures of Abada and Alexandro Bernabei – who went on loan to Brazilian outfit SC Internacional – Rodgers is already planning for NEXT season. Keeper Joe Hart is retiring this summer and there are question marks over the futures of several Celtic stars. And despite being in the midst of a tense title race with Old Firm