Kenny Miller is miles off target with Celtic criticism
Soccer Football - Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers - Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain - September 3, 2022 Celtic's Liel Abada celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine
Showing the sort of judgement that brought his stint as assistant manager of Huddersfield to an end after less than three months Kenny Miller has been sharing his concern for Liel Abada.
According to the former Scotland striker the young Israeli is being under-used by Ange Postecoglou whose side have picked up 76 points from 27 SPFL matches, lifted the Viaplay Cup and are capable of breaking a variety of record.
On Sunday away to St Mirren and trailing by a goal Abada replaced Daizen Maeda at half time, Celtic scored five times with the sub netting his 10th goal of the season which would suggest that he has been well used.
But not according to Miller. Tuesday means Go Radio for the media friendly former striker, listening in the Daily Record reports him saying:
I can’t believe he doesn’t play, he’s had a wonderful season. For a young player he has had a big big impact on that Celtic team. See when he comes on he’s as hungry as ever to go and actually impress, and score and assist.
He is super positive in his play, his body language is always really good. He’ll be sitting on the bench next week probably but the same thing happens again.
Abada has played in every single one of Celtic’s 27 SPFL matches, starting nine and coming off the bench 18 times.
In Miller’s day a sub would often get 10 or 15 minutes to stretch their legs and keep them quiet.
Like many aspects of the game Postecoglou does things differently, substitutes in the forward areas are an essential part of his tactics, normally between the 60th and 70th minutes.
Deploying Abada’s pace at that time in the game is clearly effective as 10 SPFL goals and various assists confirm.
In the first stage of the season there was an emphasis on the Champions League at Celtic with the midweek matches taking priority over the weekend domestic matches. Turning 21 during that campaign Abada started four of Celtic’s six Champions League matches.
Elsewhere in the Celtic squad Daizen Maeda has started 17 SPFL matches and came off the bench eight times. Jota has started 19 SPFL matches with six appearances as a sub.
CLICK HERE for Celtic appearances 2022/23.