Celtic 'hopeful' over £15k-a-week star after behind-scenes news at Parkhead

Celtic will be ‘hoping there’s nothing too sinister’ in winger Liel Abada’s decision to change agent, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The highly-rated 20-year-old has established himself as a key player under manager Ange Postecoglou, and the Hoops will surely want to retain his services for the foreseeable future.

A recent report from The Sun has claimed that Abada has decided to leave Israeli agent Dudu Dahan for Hussein Al Gaaod’s FSB stable.

FSB’s most high-profile client is former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer, while Celtic’s own Josip Juranovic is also on their books.

Abada’s decision comes in the midst of a purple patch of form and just months after he was tentatively linked with a move to Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.

However, Celtic remain in an extremely strong position around the negotiating table, given the Israel international’s current £15,000-per-week contract doesn’t expire until the summer of 2026.

This latest revelation may spark concern that Abada is angling for an imminent exit from Parkhead, but it could also mean he simply wants to be represented by a different agency.

O’Raourke believes the Celtic hierarchy will be optimistic that Abada’s decision does not mean he is set to seek pastures new in the near future.

He told GiveMeSport: “Obviously, they’ll be thinking there’s a lot of rumours going around when their players switch agents.

“That maybe they’re thinking of moving on, but they’ll be hoping there’s nothing too sinister in this one, that maybe he’s just changed representatives. I think it’s the same agent now as his teammate Juranovic in that respect.”

Celtic snapped Abada up from Maccabi Petah Tikva in July 2021 when he