Israel boss Alon Hazan has piled the praise on Celtic star Liel Abada after the Parkhead ace bagged his first goal for his country.
The 20-year-old bagged his side's opener in the 2-2 Nations League Group F draw against Iceland for his first goal for his country in his first start for the senior side.
Abada started on the right-wing under Hazan who was also in charge of his first game having made the step up from the Under-19s.
He was handed the first-team job by sporting director Yossi Benayoun to replace Willi Ruttenstiener and showed he's willing to give youth a chance.
With Iceland coming back to score twice after taking the lead, Hazan stuck with Abada until 10 minutes from the end as his side chased an equaliser with the Celtic man his fifth and final substitute.
That was despite taking off the likes of £11 million Hoffenheim striker Munas Dabbur before him and Celtic-linked Mohammad Abu Fani also made way earlier in the second-half.
The Israel equaliser came six minutes from the end through Shon Weissman but Hazan insists age is no barrier when asked why he stuck with Abada.
He told ONE : "There is no reason to wait until the age of 23 with players who are able to bring high ability to the senior Israeli team even at a younger age.
“In fact, age does not matter to me. The ones who are good and can contribute are the ones who should play.”
Abada will be hoping to feature again with an away day Nations League double header against Albania on Friday before a return match against Iceland.
He was dropped from the senior squad to play with the Under-21s just three months ago but the appointment of Hazan could breathe new life into his full international career.
The winger was one of Ange Postecoglou’s first signings after he took over and he bagged 15 goals and provided 11 assists as they won the Scottish Premiership.
