Celtic could be hit by a hammer blow after it was revealed Liel Abada could be out for up to five months, with Israel boss Alon Hazan admitting he's gutted for the winger.
The 21-year-old was injured on international duty in training and was sent back to Celtic after playing no part in his country's Euro 2024 qualifiers.
He was originally thought to be out for a month with a thigh muscle strain, but reports in Israel have suggested he will go for a further scan this week and could be missing for up to five months, which would rule him out until next year and mean he would miss the entire Champions League group stages games.
And Israel boss Hazan accepted he feels terrible about Abada's setback.
He said: "The thing that bothered me most about the international week was the injury to Liel Abada.
"He is one of the best kids we have in the team. An amazing boy, who comes along and always shows his love for the team.
"He is very professional and an incredible kid. He is quiet, works hard and is loved by everyone.
"Liel arrived here in maybe his sharpest and best form since I have been manager and I told him that too.
"Then suddenly he got an injury at the end of training that seemed minor.
"But after that, we realised he was going to be absent for a long period of time.
"I feel so bad for the boy because he had started the season so well and he had just also signed a new contract at Celtic.
"I was certain he would be an important player in the national team and he would have helped us get the results we want.
"I wish him nothing but good health and a speedy recovery and hope he will return to us as soon as possible. We love him and are waiting for him."
Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers is 'far from stupid' and appears to have learned from mistakes at Rangers upon his return to Celtic.
That's according to former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan.
Rodgers, who sealed a sensational return to Parkhead this summer to replace Ange Postecoglou, has endured a fairly bumpy start to life back at the club.
