Beram Kayal has been told his move to Albion has helped him back to his best – by his national team boss.

The Albion midfielder is expected to play a leading role in his club’s attempts to climb back up the Championship next term.

Now the former Celtic man has told The Argus how Israel boss Eli Guttman contacted him to commend him on his mid-season move south.

Kayal revealed: “The manager told me ‘Beram, I’ve watched you in a few games for Brighton, I’ve seen you back to your fitness, sharp, looking yourself like before and that’s the reason you came back in the national squad’.

“I think he watched me on TV. I was getting minutes and played every game and he got interested.

“He texted me a few times and the coaches there are happy I am back to myself.”

Albion skipper Gordon Greer was yesterday named in the Scotland squad to face Qatar and the Republic of Ireland.

Midfielder Glen Rea is in the Republic of Ireland under-21s' party to take on England C and England under-21s.

England under-20s goalkeeper Christian Walton played for Albion's development squad as they ended their season with a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last night.