Liel Abada earns glowing Celtic verdict from Ange as boss explains why game time is never a guarantee

Liel Abada chucked the kitchen sink at St Mirren as there was never any danger of the wide man lobbing toys out of the pram.

The Celtic attacker had to settle for a place in the bench again in Paisley but earned a pat on the back from gaffer Ange Postecoglou for helping the Hoops turn it around. Abada made a huge difference when he appeared after the interval with Celts a goal down and in danger of suffering another sore one against St Mirren. The 21-year-old old got stuck in and proved once more just how valuable he is to his team.

Abada grabbed a superb goal and had a hand in a couple of others as Celts feasted on Saints following Charles Dunne’s red card five minutes before the break. The youngster has started only 16 games this term – but he’s blasted 12 goals and laid on another seven, with numerous other key moments along the way. His numbers are incredible but there’s not much point banging on the manager’s door if anyone is unhappy not to get in the starting line up.

Postecoglou said: “What do you reckon would happen to players who throw their toys out of the pram, mate?”

There’s no need to guess the answer. Any player chancing their arm with the manager can call up the likes of Giorgos Giakoumakis or Josip Juranovic and ask who that panned out. The manager runs a tight ship but that doesn’t mean Postecoglou doesn’t appreciate the winger – especially his team player attitude.

The Hoops boss said: “Liel’s a really ambitious guy who wants to be at a big football club. He wants to win things and be the best he can be. That’s exactly where he is at. All our players, particularly the younger ones who want to go on to further opportunities, maybe to a stronger league, do you think they are going to go to a club where