CELTIC could always rely on him lurking at the back post.
But tonight former Hoops wide-man Liel Abada was tasked with defending it, rather than attacking it.
Liel Abada defending his line[/caption]
He’s been handed a surprise role by his manager Ran Ben-Shimon[/caption]
Abada, 23, started for Israel against Erling Haaland‘s Norway in their second World Cup qualifier – after kicking off their campaign with a 2-1 win over Estonia on Saturday.
He was an unused sub for that opener which was held in Hungary due to the ongoing war in his homeland.
But this time, in the same venue, he was called in from the start and was handed an unusual role by manager Ran Ben-Shimon.
The Charlotte FC star has most his full career out on the wings but it’s been a little bit different for him tonight.
He’s still out wide but he’s occupying a deeper role instead.
Abada was deployed at right wing-back for the crunch World Cup qualifier against Norway.
The 23-year-old found himself going head-to-head with Benfica‘s Andreas Schjelderup down the flank rather than being the out-and-out winger bombing down the touchline.
Many fans were puzzled when the squad lineup was announced and Abada’s name was included.
One punter even accused manager Ben-Shimon of ‘being out of his mind’ after realising his plans for Abada.
Taking to social media, one fan wrote: “It’s probably actually a back three but Ran Ben Shimon is out of his mind if Liel Abada is playing right back in this match.”
Another blasted: “With a lineup like this with Abada in defence, it would be a miracle if we don’t concede three in the first half.”
While another stunned fan commented: “Wait, Abada in defence?!”
It isn’t actually the first time Abada has occupied one of the full-back positions for his national team.
The winger was bizarrely deployed out at left-back in a very bizarre role when Israel faced France in November.
He was up against Michael Olise that day and the game remarkably finished 0-0.
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