The Liel Abada scandal, according to Brendan Rodgers, WON’T stop him from acquiring Israeli players for Celtic.
When the winger was traded to MLS team Charlotte FC last week, the head coach of the Hoops voiced his regret. After returning from an injury in December, Abada had hardly played for Rodgers’ squad. His nation was at war with Palestine two months ago, and supporters of that country frequently display their flags at Parkhead.
SEE MORE ABOUT RODGERS AND HIS ASSISTANT LEAVING
Abada wasn’t in the correct mental state to play for the team after that. Given the support Celtics fans have shown for Palestine, Rodgers, 22, felt pressure from fellow Israelis despite his attempts to try to mediate the problem. In the end, the management was forced to concede and let Abada to leave for America at an estimated cost of £6.5 million.
But Rodgers is adamant the controversy around Abada at Celtic won’t put him off bringing a player from Israel to Glasgow if it will improve his side. When asked if it would stop him signing an Israeli in the future, he said: “No, because I just want good players. It doesn’t matter where they are from.
“We want good players here, whatever nationality or creed. We want players who come here, fit into the culture and develop. This is an incredible club to come to, where you learn how to be a winner, and to deal with pressure and expectation.
“With a player from any nationality, they have to fit the culture and manner that we want to work in. But it certainly wouldn’t stop me, no.”
Following the exits of Abada and Alexandro Bernabei, who signed a loan deal with SC Internacional in Brazil, Rodgers is already making plans for the upcoming campaign. This summer, Celtics keeper Joe Hart will retire, and the fates of several key players are in doubt. And even though Rangers, the Old Firm’s fiercest foe, are vying for the championship this season, Rodgers says he’s excited to add fresh players to the team.
After former head of recruitment Mark Lawwell resigned, the manager stated, “Having now looked at this group, I’m really excited about next season.” Players who were sidelined for some time have caught my eye, and I want to grow this team.
“There’s a lot of work going on on that front. Is it a chance to put my stamp on it? Yeah, because I think we lost influential players (last summer) who make the game look different. Those players weren’t just good footballers but they were personalities. It’s hard when you lose that personality from the team. The guys have been great this season with everything that’s been thrown at them. But it’s about seeing what it needs, how it can develop and grow.
“Giving the guys here a chance was imperative as they had just finished a season in which they won a treble.” However, I also understand from my football experience, particularly at teams like Celtic, that there is a turnover every three to four years. You need to reenergize the team even if you’re winning. We will consider doing that in the summer.
The amount of money that Rodgers’ team received during the January transfer window didn’t satisfy him.
However, this hasn’t lessened his ambition to make a lasting impression during his second spell as manager at Celtic. Rodgers declared upon his arrival back at the team that he intended to stay at Parkhead for the entire duration of his three-year contract. Furthermore, the coach claims that nothing will change on that front even if his team is not declared the winners.
