Maccabi Haifa playmaker Abu Fani is pleased he stayed at the Champions League outfit despite missing out on a potential move to Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic over the summer, speaking to Sport5 ahead of the group-stage clash with Juventus.
The Israeli Premier League champions certainly need Abu Fani at his string-pulling, defence-splitting best in Turin.
After losing to Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain on matchdays one and two, Maccabi need to get something, anything out of their double-header with an inconsistent Juventus side if they are to keep alive their already slim hopes of knock-out stage football the other side of Christmas.
The Daily Record reported in June that Abu Fani was free to leave Maccabi Haifa for around £800,000; Celtic one of the interested parties. Against Dusan Vlahovic and co, however, the Israel international has the chance to show why he remains priceless to the Maccabi cause.
Abu Fani stays at Maccabi Haifa despite Celtic interest
“This summer was not easy at all for me,” Abu Fani explains. “I was expecting to go to Europe.
“And in the end I didn’t make (the move). I stayed in Haifa, which is one of the best things that happened to me. I was a bog of uncertainty and it affected me as a player. Then the window closed.
“I’m still at Maccabi Haifa. Finally, that I’m focused on one thing. I can express myself better. I’m happy about that.”
Clearly, Liel Abada’s compatriot is not too disappointed about missing out on the chance to join the former Petah Tikvah starlet on the green side of Glasgow. The talented, diminutive midfielder scored six times and set up six more as Maccabi won the domestic top flight, reaching the Champions League group-stages for the first time since 2009/10.
Celtic, meanwhile, are now hot on the trail of another Israeli talent; the dazzling 18-year-old Oskar Gloukh.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
