Kenny Miller believes Liel Abada justified Ange Postecoglou’s decision to start the forward against Rangers after opening the scoring for Celtic eight-minutes into the Old Firm derby.
Kenny Miller gushes over ‘hungry’ Liel Abada after ‘wonderful’ goal for Celtic
Liel Abada left Kenny Miller gushing with praise on BBC Sportsound after the winger broke the deadlock while Celtic hosted Rangers in the Old Firm derby on Saturday afternoon. The 20-year-old put the Bhoys in front eight minutes into the top-of-the-table Parkhead match.
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Rangers visited their Glasgow rivals in game six of the 2022/23 Premiership campaign, with both sides still unbeaten. Celtic entered the weekend ahead in the standings by two points after a perfect 100% run, while Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men had four wins and a draw.
Abada had only held a limited role in Ange Postecoglou’s side ahead of the Old Firm derby. The eight-cap international boasted just one start through the Hoops’ first five fixtures for the season. His five top-flight appearances also combined for a mere total of 204 minutes.
Postecoglou elected to start Abada at home to Rangers, though, having scored a hat-trick in Celtic’s 9-0 demolition of Dundee United last Sunday. The diminutive 5 ft 6 dynamo also laid on one assist during his first opening call of the Premiership season at Tannadice Park.
Abada would repay Postecoglou for keeping faith in his ability by breaking the deadlock in the Old Firm derby. The Petach Tikva-born winger struck his fifth goal of the league season early doors, with a low effort creeping into the corner of Gers keeper Jon McLauchlin’s net.
Jon McLaughlin unable to keep Liel Abada out after getting a hand on his shot
McLaughlin managed to get a hand on the ball, but could not divert Adaba’s effort enough to maintain parity. Jota took a quick throw-in that Matt O’Riley met on the stretch to send the ball toward Abada after a deflection, which the Israel star made good use of to score.
Abada’s goal to put Celtic in front in the Old Firm derby impressed former Rangers striker Miller greatly. He gushed over the youngster’s early effort in Saturday’s Parkhead match.
“Abada has justified his selection straight away,” Miller said. “Great goal-scoring form, he’s hungry to get into that area – it’s almost identical to the area where he scored in the 3-0 game last season. He anticipates where the ball is going to go and it’s a wonderful finish.”
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