SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE NIR FUTURE
Bitton says his 17th medal can be springboard for exciting times under Postecoglou
NIR BITTON’S medal drawer is overflowing but the Celtic midfielder reckons he can squeeze a few more in this season now the new Bhoys have got that winning feeling.
The Israeli playmaker has picked up an incredible 17 gongs during his eightand-a-half years at Parkhead with last month’s Premier Sports Cup the latest to add to his collection.
Bitton is not one to sit and admire his winnings though as he’s always looking for the next prize up for grabs.
But the 30-year-old does believe Ange Postecoglou’s first trophy has extra special significance.
It’s a new-look Hoops squad under the Aussie with several players who have had to find their feet quickly in Scotland.
Bitton is convinced the cup triumph was the perfect introduction and the new arrivals now know what is required at the club. The title is up for grabs in 2022 if Celts can reel in the six- point deficit to rivals Rangers, with the Scottish Cup also on the line, and the new batch are already hooked on silverware.
Bitton said: “Every time we win a trophy it’s a great feeling. It’s always great to achieve something and we are out to build something special here. I’m glad to win the trophy.
“I don’t really think about how many I’ve won. There’s always the desire to win more and more.
“Every trophy is special. We knew before the final this is a new team with a new coach and players and we wanted to win it for them to experience this feeling, to create a winning environment.
“Obviously when I finish my career it’s good to look back with something special. We’ve won a lot in my time here and made some great memories. “But that’s gone. We knew before the game it was all in the past, people have already forgotten about it. “We have to create our own history and legacy by winning more trophies. “We knew winning this would give us a lift and a push before the break. It
gives the new boys a sight of what this club is all about.
“Hopefully we can create more memories this season.”
Bitton has played a key role on the pitch this season, impressing on the occasions he’s slotted in at centre-back and in midfield.
He revealed he’s also had an important job off the field in helping countryman Liel Abada adapt to life in Scotland.
The winger arrived in the summer and has made an immediate impact at the club.
Abada bagged a double against St Johnstone last week to take his goal tally to 10 for the campaign and he’s also weighed in with several assists. The attacker was still a teenager when he joined and Bitton admitted he wanted to take the kid under his wing.
He said: “He’s a little boy. Since he came in I look at him and I see myself when I was in his position and signing for Celtic.
“I just want to make sure he settles in. When life outside is easier it makes the football better.
“I’m there to guide him, give him the advice he needs, and just to make his life easier.
“It’s not easy to come from a different country when you are not even 20 years old.
“You leave your parents, your family and friends and your language is not the best.
“Some people forget it and think you should be on top of your game every week.
“But it’s not easy at this age – or at any age – but especially this young, coming from another country, adapting to the weather, the language.
“I’m just trying to be here for him and he’s one of the boys I wanted to win this trophy for.
“Do I help? You’d need to ask him! I’m just trying to be the best I can.
I wanted someone to be there for me so I’ll do whatever I can.”
It’s Bitton’s selfless attitude that has impressed his manager.
Postecoglou’s big hits like Kyogo, Jota and Abada have hogged the headlines but players like Bitton have been crucial in keeping the title dream on track when the injury list has piled up. The former Ashdod man notched in the victory at McDiarmid Park as well and he admitted he’s in a good place going into 2022.
It’s not always been easy for the big midfielder as he’s found himself in and out of the side and suffered a year out with a brutal knee injury.
Bitton is flying now though and determined to do his bit to add to his incredible trophy haul.
He said: “I think I’m quite enjoying it at the moment.
“I’ve had my ups and downs in my Celtic career.
“But whenever or wherever I get the shout to play, I’ll do my best for the team, for the manager and the people around the club.
“I know how much it means to all of them. Sometimes it goes better, sometimes worse, but we always try to do our best to make this club successful.”
We must create our own history and legacy by winning more trophies NIR BITTON INSISTS HE’S NOT FINISHED STOCKING UP ON THE MEDAL TRAIL