Liel Abada has reportedly passed a medical ahead of his £10m Celtic transfer exit.
However, the winger's move to Charlotte FC has been delayed with complex passport procedure to blame for the hold-up.
Abada, 22, is set to leave Celtic for the MLS having struggled to get in the right headspace to play for the Parkhead club amid the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel.
The Israeli forward received an ovation on his return to action for Celtic on December 30 in a 2-1 win against Rangers.
However, off the field matters have led to Abada not being in the right frame of mind to play for Celtic.
It has led to the proposed £10m move to Charlotte with Sky Sports reporting a medical has been completed ahead of the transfer deal.
The Scottish Sun, though, state the deal will be delayed further due to Abada having to obtain a biometric passport to enter the United States.
It means Abada could face a flight back to Israel to obtain the passport before allowed to get his USA visa and formally sign for the MLS club.
READ MORE: Celtic lose appeal for Yang red card versus Hearts
Rodgers said previously of Abada's situation: "I'm really empathetic towards the issue that he has.
"It's more than football, it's at a human level and we have to respect that.
"He's training, he's working but as I said it's all about the mind and if you're not quite right or ready then I can't take any risk with him and protect the squad as well.
"People can talk about what's going on there and then forget about it but that's the reality for him - that's his life.
"Every day and night, families in a war. So it's a really tough situation for him and on a human level I have empathy for him.
"It's my job and we'll do that as I have with a number of players before, take the human aspect, and look after him. When he's ready, if he's ever ready, he'll give us everything.
"Might he have to look for a move or a loan? It's a possibility, we'll see. We'll work together on it."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel