Bitton still loyal to the Invincibles
FOR Nir Bitton, Celtic’s Treble-winning season under Brendan Rodgers was a bittersweet experience. While he was part of a Parkhead squad that went down in history as Invincibles, the Israeli was often a peripheral figure, starting just 16 times across a 38-match Premiership season.
The arrival of midfield competition in Eboue Kouassi from FC Krasnodar in January and then Olivier Ntcham from Manchester City in the summer suggested that the 25-year-old would soon be heading for the exit door.
However, if a lack of playing time was a disappointment, Bitton insists that one match for a club the size of Celtic is the equivalent of ten games for a lesser outfit.
Vowing he could never turn his back on Parkhead for any old offer, injuries to defenders Erik Sviatchenko and Dedryck Boyata have given the screening midfielder the chance to impress at centre-back.
And after strolling through Saturday’s win over Hearts, Bitton emerged as a defender of the faith, retaining belief he can continue to impress in tandem with Jozo Simunovic during the crucial Champions League qualifiers against Kazakh side FC Astana.
‘Of course everyone wants to play but some people just don’t understand that Celtic is a huge club,’ said Bitton. ‘This is one of the biggest clubs in Europe. When you get a chance to play for a club like this, you do your very best to stay. You don’t leave for any offer that comes along.
‘This is one of the biggest stages in Europe and every game I play here is the same as ten games for another club. So as long as I am here I will do my best to stay in the team and to help this club. So I don’t think about any offers (from other clubs). There are people who work behind the scenes on that but I don’t think about it. I’m really happy at Glasgow and at Celtic.
‘Do I like playing in defence? I like playing! It doesn’t matter where I play. As long as the gaffer gives me my chance in the team I will do my best. I’ve played in defence before and it’s similar to defensive midfield.
‘I don’t look at playing centre-half as being my best chance to stay in the team. The way I see it, if you are a professional you need to be able to adapt, and do your best. And I will always do my best to help the team.
‘Our centre-backs have been really unlucky to get injured. I feel sorry for them because it’s not the best to be injured. I hope they come back soon and stronger.
‘Right now, there is myself and Jozo — and I am a better defender than Jozo. Just kidding,’ he smiled.
Perhaps the only black mark in Bitton’s performances came within four minutes when he sent a free header wide of Jack Hamilton’s goal. But he made amends with a gorgeous through ball to Leigh Griffiths. Hamilton got a touch on the ball as the Celtic striker looked to go past him.
But Griffiths showed composure and his innate striking instincts by adjusting his feet and using his right foot to roll home the opening goal.
‘Hopefully I can keep helping the team like I did for the first goal,’ said Bitton. ‘All the centre-halves here can play out from the back. Some managers like to play long balls and fighting for second balls. But Brendan Rodgers’ philosophy is about moving the ball quickly, keeping possession, and not just kicking the ball up the pitch. That is how I play.’
Hearts were truly fortunate to go into the break 1-0 down but it was soon 2-0.
Griffiths sent over a corner, Aaron Hughes failed to cut it out and Scott Sinclair was lurking at the back post to score his seventh goal in five appearances against Hearts.
The third came after a fine run down the right by the excellent Callum McGregor. He laid the ball on a plate for Griffiths’diving header into an empty net. It was the 200th league goal of his career.
On the day Celtic raised the league flag, the only disappointment amongst the home fans was that ex-Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty escaped what looked an inevitable red card. Already on a booking for persistent fouling, he dived to try to win a free-kick and escaped unpunished in the second half for a clumsy late challenge on Kieran Tierney.
But the home support were soon cheering again when Sinclair raced through on goal and slipped in McGregor, who lashed a vicious shot high past Hamilton.
Hearts did grab a goal back when substitute Isma Goncalves somehow smashed in a shot through a suspectlooking Craig Gordon and into the net.
It was an emphatic performance from the champions that suggested, ominously for the rest of the Premiership, that Celtic will be just as ruthless this season as last.
‘The manager said before the game that last year is over, it’s finished,’ said Bitton. ‘Football is always about now, and not what has happened previously. People don’t remember what we did last season.
‘We want to go hard again and we want to win all the competitions we won again — and we have started strongly.’