Former Feyenoord star Karim El Ahmadi has bullishly claimed that Celtic "won't have the ball" during the upcoming Champions League clash in the Netherlands.

The Parkhead club take on the Dutch league winners in Rotterdam on matchday one and the ex-player turned pundit feels Brendan Rodgers' side doesn't pose much of a threat.

Celtic are also in a group with Atletico Madrid and Lazio as they look to progress to the knockout stages for the first time in over 11 years.

Despite Arne Slot's side missing key players such as forwards Ayase Ueda and Santiago Gimenez, Ahmadi is confident his old club will have too much for the Hoops.

He told ESPN: "Against Celtic at home, Feyenoord will have the ball a lot. Celtic just won't have the ball.

"If you then put Minteh or Paixão in the striker, they will not get a lot of space. At home against Celtic you may have to look for a Stengs as a false striker.

"You could play without a striker."

READ MORE: Celtic's Scottish Premiership numbers compared so far

Meanwhile, Celtic could be hit by a hammer blow after it was revealed Liel Abada could be out for up to five months, with Israel boss Alon Hazan admitting he's gutted for the winger.

The 21-year-old was injured on international duty in training and was sent back to Celtic after playing no part in his country's Euro 2024 qualifiers.

He was originally thought to be out for a month with a thigh muscle strain, but reports in Israel have suggested he will go for a further scan this week and could be missing for up to five months, which would rule him out until next year and mean he would miss the entire Champions League group stages games.