What Celtic insiders have said about Liel Abada as he prepares for Charlotte FC debut

Charlotte FC boss Dean Smith has lifted the lid on the positive reports emerging from Parkhead over Liel Abada.

The 22-year-old sealed a move to the MLS earlier this month for a fee in the region of £10million having only signed a new four-year deal with the Scottish Premiership champions last September. But the Israel international was left out of the matchday squad by Brendan Rodgers due to personal reasons amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East amid criticism in his homeland

The winger faced mounting pressure with elements of the Celtic support flying flags and showing their support for Palestine. An exit would be green lit with Abada singing the praises of the Hoops as he signed off from a trophy-laden spell at Celtic Park - and he is now set to make his first appearance as a Charlotte player against Cincinnati under former Aston Villa boss Smith.

And after positive reports from Celtic Park, the gaffer has admitted he is considering throwing his new recruit in at the deep end against the Eastern Conference leaders. Ahead of the clash, he told club media: “He’s just been involved in the international window.

"He played 25 minutes for Israel, so I would expect his fitness levels to be up there. I spoke to the people I know at Celtic as well and there were no qualms about his fitness levels. So, I don't expect him to have lost too much fitness.