DAILY RECORD 🔵 Aberdeen hailed by Palestine boss for helping Oday Dabbagh fly the flag – ‘It is VERY important for us’

The Dons have given Dabbagh the chance to shine in Europe and the Palestine boss is grateful

Ehab Abu Jazar has admitted star man Oday Dabbagh’s move to Aberdeen is massive in helping fly the Palestine flag across Europe.

The Palestinian international has hit the ground running at Pittodrie, with three goals in five games.

Dabbagh has quickly established himself as a firm favourite and his Palestine national coach is not surprised at the instant impact his country’s record scorer has made. Abu Jazar admitted: “Oday is a Palestinian icon and we are all very proud of him. He is the record goalscorer for our national team.

“We are happy for Oday, not only as a national team but also as Palestinians that we have one of our top players doing so well in one of Europe’s top leagues. The Scottish Premiership is a top league and very well-respected.

“Oday has started his time there very strongly. It has been good to see him playing for Aberdeen. I have been able to watch his games on television at Aberdeen, so I am able to keep a close eye on his progress. He has been doing really well at Aberdeen and it has been great to see him make the impact he has.”

Dabbagh is only one of a handful of Palestine internationals playing in Europe, along with Moustafa Zeidan at Rosenborg and Omar Faraj at Degerfors.

Abu Jazar added: “It is very important for us to have players like Oday playing across Europe. First it demonstrates the Palestinian cause in Europe and the world and secondly, it is very important to see the development of Palestinian players and sports.

“It gives very important motivation to the young Palestinian players to become future stars like Oday. Yes, hopefully we can see even more Palestinian international players go to other top leagues.”

Dabbagh had several options when he was thinking about leaving Belgian side Charleroi in January. He spoke to his national boss and it was clear that Aberdeen was the move that excited him the most.

Abu Jazar confirmed: “Oday talked to me before he went to Aberdeen. “Oday was looking for a new challenge. He had several opportunities but was very enthusiastic about Aberdeen. He felt that would give him a good chance to rediscover his form and his love of the game.”

The Dons have signed Dabbagh initially on loan but they also have an option to buy. Abu Jazar expects Aberdeen to take that up if his fellow countryman keeps up his current form.

He predicted: “If he continues to perform like he has at Aberdeen and settles then I am sure that Aberdeen will want to buy him. It is still early. “Oday has only been there a few weeks and he needs time to really settle in there before we really see the best of him.”

Jimmy Thelin was looking for another striker to take some of the goal burden off Kevin Nisbet. Abu Jazar knows how Dabbagh caught his eye.

He said: “Oday is a very fast player. “He has a strong personality and he will always be up there as a top scorer. He is also a very clever player, he takes up very good positions on the pitch to score or create danger. Oday has a very good understanding of the game as well.”

Dabbagh is a key figure to his national team on and off the park. He will lead them into their World Cup qualifiers against Jordan and Iraq later this month.

The Palestine coach explained: “Oday is one of the most important players in our team. “He is one of the main pillars of the team. We depend on him a lot and he is central to a lot of our tactical plans. He will be important in these World Cup qualifiers.

“He is a very humble human being and very respectful. He is one of the most important players in the national team. He is one of our leaders and one of our top players.”