LIEL ABADA is back in training at Lennoxtown following some time off which was ordered by Brendan Rodgers.
The 22-year-old Israeli international was forced to miss the holders’ 2-0 Scottish Cup win over St Mirren in Paisley on Sunday when the Celtic boss revealed his player had not been mentally attuned for the challenge.
But Abada has returned to the fold to prepare for the visit of Kilmarnock on Saturday when another three crucial Premiership points are up for grabs, according to a report in the Daily Record.
ON THE BALL…Liel Abada in action for Celtic.
The Hoops go into the encounter as league leaders after their nearest challengers blew the opportunity to take over pole position when they failed to get the necessary three-goal win over Ross County at Ibrox last night that would have nudged the Parkhead men off the pinnacle on goal difference for the first time since early February 2022.
It ended 3-1 in Govan – with the third goal arriving deep in stoppage-time – and now Rodgers’ side have the chance to open up a three-point gap by defeating Derek McInnes’ side 24 hours before Philippe Clement takes his team to Perth to face Craig Levein’s St Johnstone.
Whether Abada plays against Killie remains to be seen with Rodgers also welcoming South Korean touchline ace Yang Hyun-jun back from the Asian Cup last week and giving him a substitute appearance in the 62nd minute for Luis Palma in Paisley.
Daizen Maeda, who claimed the killer second goal against Stephen Robinson’s side, started on the right before £3million January recruit Nicolas Kuhn took over 15 minutes from time.
With no injuries reported, Rodgers is spoiled for choice on the flanks and must now puzzle over the reintroduction of Abada in another must-win confrontation.
