By Alan Hutton

21st Sep, 2023 | 9:59am

Liel Abada U-turn expected after confirmed Celtic news - pundit

A deal for Liel Abada to quit Celtic in January could fall through after his latest injury.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers defender Alan Hutton said being sidelined until 2024 will put off interested parties in the winter window but suggested there would have unlikely been many bids anyway.

As relayed by Sky Sports (14 September), the winger is set to be out of action for up to four months after picking up a thigh injury whilst on international duty with Israel.

The 21-year-old had been impressing under Brendan Rodgers and has been a first-team regular under the new boss.

New arrival Luis Palma replaced his teammate for the 2-0 defeat to Feyenoord on Tuesday (19 September) and Rogers also has new signings Hyunjun Yang, Marco Tilio (also still recovering from injury), and James Forrest to choose from on the right wing.

Abada put pen to paper on a new four-year deal at Celtic on transfer deadline day this summer after attracting interest from clubs including Ajax earlier in the window.

When asked if his latest injury could put off potential bidders in the winter, Hutton told Football Insider: “You would think if there were some serious bids there he would have gone in the summer and that didn’t quite happen.

“You never want to see anybody injured and a deal falling through for that reason, you want to see it happen because they are playing well for your team and giving everything.

“It is a shame for him but it is an opportunity for somebody else to come in, the likes of Palma, Yang and Tilio to come back so they have got options. It is now for somebody to step up and take that opportunity.“

In other news, Kieran Maguire shares ‘£22m’ Graham Potter payout reveal after Rangers sack update.