WHEN Liel Abada arrived in Glasgow, he knew as much about the city as those here perhaps knew about him.
Yes, the Israeli had come with a relatively hefty price tag as Celtic paid around £3.5m to secure his services from Maccabi Petah Tikva, but expectations were low that Abada could come in and make a significant impact in his first season in Scotland.
Now 20, Abada has gone on to enjoy a dream first season in the Premiership, hitting 15 goals from the left of the Celtic attack, and some absolutely crucial ones at that.
It will be his goal against Rangers – the third in the 3-0 win in February – that may be the most fondly remembered, but it was his late, late winner against Dundee United just a few days earlier that may prove most pivotal when it comes to the destination of the title.
It has all culminated in a nomination from his fellow pros for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award, no mean feat when you consider the tender age that he set off to make a name for himself at such a huge club in a foreign land.
The player himself must take enormous credit for that, and as he displayed by attempting to speak English to the press for the first time as he sat down to discuss his nomination and his first campaign at Celtic, he has thrown himself into his adventure in Scotland.
But Abada also gives huge credit for his quick acclimatisation to his new surroundings to compatriot and Celtic teammate Nir Bitton, who once described Abada as a 'little boy'.
That he may still be, but he seems to have an old head on those young shoulders, and he was keen to ensure that Bitton received the thanks he was due for the ‘big brother’ role he has played in mentoring and looking after him, without which he doubts he would have been able to hit the ground running as he has.
“I want to thank the fans, the coaches and particularly Nir,” Abada said.
“Nir has become like a big brother to me. When I came here he made sure I had everything I need. On top of being a really good player, he’s a top human being.
“Nir and his family have really helped me settle in Glasgow. I can’t explain how much he’s helped. He even cooks for me. I’m not sure about washing my clothes, but he’s really done a lot.
“It was difficult coming here at first as a young player. But I am a footballer who has a dream and I want to improve.
“Celtic are a very warm club with passionate supporters. I feel right at home now. We feel very united in the dressing room as well. There is a great atmosphere and we are all there for each other."
The Celtic fans have certainly taken to Abada, and he enjoys the warm welcome he has also received on the streets of Glasgow.
“It’s great fun to see all the love and appreciation you get from the supporters when I am in the city,” he said.
“Everyone is so good when you talk to them in the street.
“I just want to repay them.”
It is hard to argue that he hasn’t done precisely that. The position that Abada occupies had been a real problem area for Celtic last season during their ill-fated tilt at 10 in-a-row, with club legend James Forrest struggling with injury for large parts of the campaign.
Forrest has again laboured to stay fit this season, and without the contribution of Abada, that may well have proven a huge blow to Celtic once again.
It is a compliment to Forrest that Celtic felt the need to splash a significant sum for someone who could fill his boots on the right, and a huge compliment to Abada that Forrest’s prolonged absences once again this season have been felt nowhere near as keenly as they were last term.
“I had high expectations from myself when I arrived here,” Abada said. “I wanted to achieve the best I can and all of my teammates and coaches have helped me do that.
“I always had big expectations, even as a young player coming to a big football club like Celtic.
“It’s about working as hard as you can for the team and for the supporters.
“I’ll continue to work hard and give 100 percent in every game and every training session for years to come.”
Typically, the last word from Abada was not about himself, but to lavish praise on his teammates for their contributions not only to the Celtic cause this season, but in helping him reach his own potential.
If he had to pick just one player to win the top award of player of the season though, it would be his captain.
“If I could give an award to every player in the squad I would do it – because they all deserve it,” he said.
“Callum McGregor has been the most important player in the squad though. He’s looked after everyone and kept us all together.
“He has been very good for us.”
