Liel Abada is closing in on a return to Celtic action but won’t be in the squad to face Livingston in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday.
Abada hasn’t played for the Bhoys since Celtic’s win at Ibrox in September, with the Israeli winger subsequently injured during training on international duty.
His long spell on the sidelines with the thigh muscle injury has been far from ideal for Rodgers, just when it looked like the 22-year-old was set to become the manager’s go-to man on the right flank.
Rodgers is not ruling out an Abada return before the winter break but isn’t expressly saying it’ll happen either.
Brendan Rodgers on Liel Abada Celtic return
Asked in today’s media conference for an update, the Celtic boss said [Celtic YouTube]: “He’s out on the grass running with the medical team.
“It’s not imminent but he’s certainly in a really, really good place and hopefully at some time in the near future he’ll be able to be back in with the squad.
“I haven’t thought on it [Abada returning before the winter break], it’s a day-by-day thing. We just have to assess it as he goes along each day.”
Getting Abada back into the team would be a significant boost to Rodgers’ options. The prospect scored 13 goals and assisted nine times last season – he’s a big goal threat.
His style of play is very direct too and he offers something different to other attackers in the squad. He has the desire to break through stubborn defences and find space in the box, moving in from the flank.
After signing a four-year contract in September, everyone is excited to see the potential Abada can now reach in the Hoops.
We’ll see the best of him after the winter break as he gets up to full match fitness. But a cameo or two off the bench before then would be fantastic.
In other news, Brendan Rodgers comes to “very frank” conclusion with Celtic squad after recent Lennoxtown debrief.