LIEL ABADA is in “a very good place” insists Brendan Rodgers during a challenging period for the Israeli winger.
The 22-year-old goalscoring wide Bhoy has struggled since returning from international duty with an injury in September, as CQN reported.
Abada has played just over half an hour of first team football during that three-month interlude, coming on late in the 2-1 derby win last weekend and then again in the 3-0 success over St Mirren in Paisley on Tuesday.
The youngster has attempted to deal with that setback as well as his country’s continuing conflict with a section of the Hoops supporter adopting a pro-Palestine stance.
ON WAY BACK…Liel Abada was a second-half substitute in the 3-0 win over St Mirren in the first game of 2024.
Rodgers has revealed heart-to-heart talks with Abada and insisted he will play his part for the champions in the second half of the season.
The Hoops boss stressed: “Liel’s in a very good place now. It was a challenging time for him when he was out, with everything happening in his country.
“It’s been about getting him minutes on the pitch, but he’s another player who will be big for us.
“It’s a situation as a manager where, if you care, you need to communicate with the player. You just try to understand and have empathy with the situation.
“He’s a very young guy, so he needs help and support. Obviously, I’m there for him.”
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “You’ll never be the player’s best friend, but there are times when you have to show that side which gives them a bit of comfort and confidence to keep going.
“He’s settled and happy here now.”
