Brendan Rodgers has confirmed the news that Liel Abada will miss Celtic’s Champions League group matches but is hopeful that the injury won’t lead to the five month absence that was being speculated over this morning.
With the winger out and Jota sold to Al Ittihad Celtic go into the campaign without last season’s first choice wingers although Daizen Maeda’s industry and ability to track back will make him a valuable player.
Cameron Carter-Vickers injury is another blow to Rodgers’ plans but it is the news on Abada that is causing most concern today.
The winger started the season in impressive form, now into his third season at the club he is one of the more experienced squad members with five winners medals at the age of 28.
It looks like Abada’s playing time for 2023 will be limited with The Glasgow Times reporting Rodgers saying:
He’s gone to London today for a scan. We think it’s going to be around three to four months.
He picked it up at the end of training in a shooting exercise, so it’s a real shame for us because he’s done well over pre-season and as you can see, he’s started a lot of the games since I’ve been here.
We’re really disappointed, but it’s a squad game for us so we’ll have other players to come in.
It was his thigh when they were shooting at the end of training. It looks like he’s done his thigh muscle.
He signed a new deal and seemed happy. Of course, I was looking forward to continuing his development because he still does have lots of areas that he can improve on.
It’s a shame, it’s a learning curve for him. He’ll work hard, hopefully get back and we’ll use him for the second part of the season.
Yang Hyun-jun looks like getting an extended run in the side with James Forrest and Rocco Vata other options as the domestic season resumes on Saturday against Dundee.
