‘Low on confidence’: BBC pundit questions Celtic star who’s lost his ‘spark’

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Pat Bonner has questioned if Liel Abada is low on confidence after failing to rediscover his ‘spark’ whilst Celtic beat Real Betis 3-2, while speaking on BBC Sportsound (09/12, 20:53).

Ange Postecoglou started Abada during the Bhoys’ final Europa League group stage tie on Thursday. He sought to rotate his line-up with the Parkhead outfit already eliminated from the competition and will be competing in the Europa Conference League after Christmas.

Abada had not opened the Hoops’ previous two Premiership fixtures before hosting Betis in Glasgow. The 20-year-old also failed to feature at all in their 1-0 win at home to Hearts.

Postecoglou introduced Abada from the bench last time out at Dundee United for his 26th appearance of the season so far. The £3.5m summer signing marked the occasion with his sixth assist in green-and-white, before adding another against Real Betis.

Abada helped Celtic open the scoring in the third-minute against Real Betis when Stephen Welsh headed home his corner. Edgar Gonzalez also fouled Abada in the box as the Israel international burst through, with Ross Turnbull converting the penalty.

Abada form worrying Bonner despite assisting in Celtic win over Real Betis

Abada enjoyed some top-notch touches against Real Betis and showed determination to run through on goal for Celtic’s decisive penalty.

He had fallen off the boil in recent weeks after starting life in Scotland with a flourish.

The £15k-a-week winger offered three goals and three assists in his first seven Premiership games. But he did not influence the scoring in the league again until facing Dundee United.

His only goal and assist since September before the Tannadice Park affair both came away to Ferencvaros last month.

Abada’s form and the way he has played concerns former Celtic goalkeeper Bonner, even though he assisted against Real Betis.

“Liel Abada seems to have lost that early season spark that he had,” Bonner said. “He used to just open his body up and run at defenders. He’s turning back and passing a lot now; you start to wonder if he’s low on confidence.”