Liel Abada reveals extra Celtic graft as winger stays after training to work on key area

That’s 21 goals in 44 starts for Celtic. Liel Abada might be a winger but the youngster’s stats read like a prolific one-in-two striker. The Israeli has set a ridiculously high standard since arriving in Glasgow.

He has racked up six goals already this term – including a double against Rangers in the Old Firm derby – despite not being a first pick for gaffer Ange Postecoglou. Abada has been a revelation after making the move to Parkhead from Maccabi Petah Tikva in summer 2021. And, at just 20, he’s only going to get better for the Hoops.

After his first campaign with Celts he was already being linked with big-money transfers to the Premier League or elsewhere. Last week, after switching agents, Abada was having to reiterate how happy he is at Celtic – with pundits predicting that his future value could rise to £15million.

But to reach that level, Abada knows he has to do it for the Hoops in the Champions League. And so far in their Group F campaign, Celtic just haven’t been clinical enough.

In their last outing against Shakhtar Donetsk, they wasted several chances to take all three points. When Real Madrid visited Celtic Park for their glamour opening tie, Abada fluffed his lines early on by squandering a gilt-edged opportunity.

The Israel international has blanked it from his mind. But ahead of this week’s trip to Germany to face RB Leipzig, he’s determined to put it right. And Abada is putting extra work in to ensure his brilliant goal-to-game ratio continues.

He said: “I’ve played as a winger all my career so far but I really work on my finishing at training – and after training too. I stay to work on crosses and finishes.

“I want to help this team win points in every game. Hopefully I can keep scoring to help