Watch as ex-Celtic star scores incredible 18-minute hat-trick

Dean Smith's side took on Montreal in the Eastern Conference looking for the points that would secure their place in the play-offs, and it came via a thumping 4-0 victory.

Abada played a huge part but actually started on the bench, with former Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin one of the attackers preferred to him in the starting XI.

Idan Toklomati gave Charlotte an early lead but it was still sitting precariously at 1-0 when the Israel international was subbed on.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Charlotte FC (@charlottefc)

Three minutes after coming on, he had his first. After a quick break, Abada was fed the ball to the right of the box before taking a touch to settle himsef and firing a low shot across the goalkeeper.

He made the points safe at 3-0 when he started a move himself, feeding a teammate on the half way line before sprinting forward to get on the end of a lay-off and finishing well once again.

The 18-minute hat-trick was complete when Charlotte won the ball high up the pitch and the ball was poked to the former Celtic man. After exchanging a one-two with a teammate, he then sidefooted into the corner.

The treble made it nine for the season for the 25-year-old, adding seven assists, and his side will now compete in the play-offs.