Israel boss Alon Hazan has suggested Celtic winger Liel Abada may not be an automatic first choice pick anymore because he hasn't signed a new deal with the Hoops.

The 21-year-old came off the bench in Sunday's League Cup 2-1 victory over Rangers at Hampden, but was booked for diving late on in the game.

This season, Abada has only started nine league games for Celtic and has come off the bench on 17 occasions. However, last season he started 24 league games and made a huge impact after his £3.6 million move from Maccabi Petah Tikva that summer.

He was reportedly offered a new, improved deal by Celtic this season after interest from Southampton and Crystal Palace even though he still has three-and-a-half years left, but nothing has been agreed so far.

When asked about the offer last month, Abada said: "I don’t want to speak about it. What will happen will happen. I am only focussed on football."

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Now new Israel boss Hazan has offered his take on 21-year-old Abada's situation with his last five games for Celtic all from the bench.

He said: "Liel Abada plays in a team that are the champions of Scotland and at least he is in the rotation of the squad.

"It's not as if he has disappeared or does not get on from the bench. And his numbers are good too.

"He may not be playing as much as last season, but he is still playing.

"Maybe his situation is because he didn't want to extend his contract, but he is still in the squad and being rotated.

"I think Liel Abada, along with Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh, are all young and very talented players. But what's important is that they have all gained a lot of experience in good European leagues.

"I see them as good, young Israeli players who are able to take their opportunities when they are presented to them."