BRENDAN RODGERS insists Liel Abada will be a big player for Celtic in the title run-in after a heart-to-heart with the Israeli winger.
Abada, 22, has been devastated by the war in his homeland which has affected friends and family.
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He was urged to QUIT the Hoops by compatriots after Celts’ Green Brigade ultras showed support to Palestine with a controversial banner display just hours after Hamas attacks on October 7.
But Rodgers has had a pep-talk with Abada, who returned to action after injury against St Mirren last midweek.
And the Celts boss believes the young attacker is ready to play a major part in his team’s Premiership defence.
Rodgers said: “Liel’s in a very good place now.
“It was a challenging time for him when he was out, with everything happening in his country.
“It’s been about getting him minutes on the pitch. But he’s another player who will be big for us.
“It’s a situation as a manager where, if you care, you need to communicate with the player, try to understand and have empathy with the situation.
“He’s a very young guy so he needs help and support. I’m there for him.
“You’ll never be the players’ best friend but there are times you have to show that side which gives them comfort and confidence. He’s settled and happy here.”
Rodgers, meanwhile, has revealed Kyogo Furuhashi is still playing through the pain of a shoulder injury which is likely to require surgery down the line.
He added: “The break will definitely help him.
“He needs a bit of recovery time then we can get some work in before the games start again.
“He’s returning to what I’d expect from him with his runs, his movement and his opportunities.
“But his shoulder’s still the same. He could get it fixed but he’d be out for four months.
“If it was desperate, he would have the operation, but it’s not imminent.
“From time to time his shoulder pops out. Then he pops it back in again. It may be something he decides to do in three or four years’ time.”
Rodgers is eager to make January signings to strengthen his squad — but plans a clear-out first.
He added: “The squad needs trimmed, but only because that’s the natural process within any squad.
“Some guys have been here for a few years, cover players, so they’ll want to go and play.
“Some may be out of contract and see something else. That’s the natural process at a club like this.
“There’s a cycle of two to three years maximum where you tend to keep a lot of the same squad.
“There’s always change. As long as the structure stays the same and you maintain fundamentals, that’s what’s important.
“I learned that in my first spell here. I wanted to keep everyone and couldn’t understand why it would change. But it does. You have to adapt.”
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Rodgers also expects defender Liam Scales to pen a new deal.
He added: “I believe the club is in talks. I’m sure that will get sorted out in due course. It’s been an amazing story for him.”
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