Probably the most interesting thing about Beram Kayal is that he is an Arab who was born in, and plays for, Israel. For many not so in tune with Middle East politics, it seems contradictory but there is large Arab minority in Israel and Kayal believes that too much is made of the hostilities between Arabs and Jews inside Israel itself:
“People see too much television. What the television shows about Israel is totally different to what happens. The life between the Jews and the Arabs is very good. I’m an Arab and my agent if Jewish but we’re like family. The Jews and the Arabs live together in Haifa, which is a mixed city.”
Kayal started out life playing in his home town for Maccabi Haifa. According to Kayal it is not rare for Arabs to play for Maccabi with “seven or eight players” in the starting eleven being from that ethnic group and there was no real conflict despite the differences of religion in the team, and the tensions between Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank and Gaza not far away either.
At Maccabi Haifa, Kayal was initially played as a striker at lower youth levels but after moving up to Maccabi’s Under 19 level, he was most often used as a central midfield player. In the 2004/05 season he helped the youth team achieve a league and dup double, and was rewarded for his efforts with the League’s Outstanding Player award. He then subsequently made his first senior appearance at the end of 2005/06 campaign as Maccabi Haifa won their third consecutive league title. He was then used as a substitute for the next two seasons, also captaining the Under 19s to another league and cup double in the 2006/07 campaign.
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A large minority? Paradox much?
Arabs make up 20% of the population while the Jews account for something like 75% in Israel. The Arabs in this case would be considered the ‘minority’ but 20% of the entire population is a ‘large’ minority. Even minorities can be divided into different sizes and in this particular case the Arabs in Israel would definitely be considered a ‘large’ minority.
Celtic fan here,i hope we don’t lose him as he is an outstanding midfielder.
He covers the pitch,he can tackle,pass (long & short)he can shoot,he is a proper old school centre midfielder,classic number 8
Hands off!
maybe a little less politics and a bit more football?? utter rubbish this is!
Not what I expected….when I saw “starlet” …
I thought ….here we go again ..English supremacy rears it’s ugly head again…..
My apologies…good thoughtful article..even if bongani don’t think so….
He is an excellent player ( not a starlet I hasten to add)…and although I would like to think he’s part of our long term future….money talks…
and if he continues to play the way he’s doing…
he’ll be off to bigger ( not necessarily better) things.
Hail Hail my friend…good thread.
A superb footballer who could play for Barcelona hes that good. Liverpool would do well to try and get him, 20 million should be the opening bid. I hope he stays with Celtic but money talks.
They can have him, I think Ki is better.
How much did you guys pay for Caroll? Right. The bidding starts at £45 million.
One of the best players I’ve ever saw in the hoops. I never want to see him leave but can understand if the money is good.
Beram Kayal has only been here for just over 6 months but he’s one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen pull on the green and white hoops. He’s a better player than Neil Lennon or Stan Petrov, two Celtic greats, ever were, and the boy is still only 22. Is frightening to think how good he can be.
Most Celtic fans accept he will eventually leave but I hope we get one more season out of him to see him play with us in Europe. A good CL campaign and I genuinely believe we could be looking at a £20m rated player. He’s that good.
can he oprate similiar or nearly alonso???.. if he can do that.. we must grab him. 7 million are good for his service and his only 22. give him 4 year contract and we must see and value him at 25 y.o.
never heard and see him play football…
He aint going to Liverpool, and i mean that with the utmost respect for your club. Kayal will leave celtic but Barcelona or Milan will be his prefered option.
I urge anyone who has not seen this guy play to watch him, and please don’t come back and say “yes but he’s playing against weak opposition and wouldn’t cut it in your EPL” The energy and skill this lad has is the best i’ve seen for many a year.
He is the real deal !
Ive yet to see anyone like him, in fact, experience aside, pound for pound he is better than Lampard or Gerrard.
HANDS OFF !
Comments were going quite well until Sam came in with his uncalled for fit of rage. Excellent player, hope he stays with us a while longer although I do see him playing in the Spanish League one day.
Hail Hail
@sam: Stevie G hasn’t had a good game in about two years, he’s living on past reputations.
I don’t like to get drawn into the ‘one of the best players I’ve seen play for Celtic’ or ‘better than Petrov’ stuff, but this guy is 100% the real deal, who would have no problem making the move to the EPL if that’s where he decided his future was, although I’d rather see him stay for a couple more years and help us in the CL, which lets face it he’s not going to be getting with Liverpool any time soon. I think he would be far more tempted by a move to United, and understandably.
And Sam, he’s been MOTM against Rangers in every game he’s played against them.
As far as I’m concerned if you want him this summer, bidding starts at £20M, we don’t need the money (much as the English media will tell you that you’re doing us a favour by offering £3M or whatever), the player is under contract and doesn’t want to leave by all accounts. Liverpool have shown their hand with the Carroll transfer, we know you have money, and if you want Beram Kayal, then you’ll need to spend it.
PS. Everything above also applies to Emilio Izaguirre.
Kayal is a young player who has charged his way into a very deep Celtic squad this season. His composure on the ball, and simple (almost tici taca like) play keeps Celtic’s full flowing attack moving. This young bhoy is a revelation at central midfield, and one can only hope that we hang onto him for a good number of years. What a beauty.