KNOWING THE WAY
Winning mentality key for Bitton as Celts grind out points in title charge
NEIL LEnnon’s Celtic will never look comfortable on an artificial pitch. They might never learn how to deal with the physical nuisance value of Livingston striker Lyndon Dykes. They don’t cope comfortably with the chaos caused by the long throws of Ciaron Brown.
Yet, when the clock is ticking and the mental pressure is building, they find a way. They know how to win football games and the ability to grind out points will lead them to the holy grail.
nine-in-a-row is now a question of when and not if.
The difference between Celtic and Rangers can be summarised by two critical nights.
December 4, 2019, saw the bitter rivals neck-and-neck at the summit of the Premiership.
As steven Gerrard’s side surrendered a two-goal lead in Aberdeen, Celtic lost a 90th-minute equaliser to Hamilton at home before scott Brown’s dramatic stoppage-time strike opened a two-point lead. They found a way.
By Wednesday, the gap had extended to 12 points. Rangers had the chance to breathe some life into a flagging title challenge when Celtic went 2-1 down in the Tony Macaroni Arena, a venue they loathe. Belying their status as relegation contenders, Accies threw a spanner in the works at Ibrox before Celtic found a 91stminute equaliser in Livingston. The gap extended to 13 points. once again, they found a way.
‘I think when you play for a club like Celtic you have to believe all the time,’ said Israeli international nir Bitton. ‘You play for a massive club. You’re always fighting for trophies, you have to have this winning mentality and you have to have it every game — even if we are down, even if we are up.
‘We play the same style of play and we will always be on the front foot to try to win the game. It’s a special dressing room to be in.
‘You know, when you play in the scottish league, I think everyone wants to be the hero. Everyone wants to beat us, everyone wants to stop us.’
Livingston have been more adept at doing so than most. Attacker scott Robinson has claimed two goals all season. That both have come against Celtic has done more damage to the chase for nine-in-arow than Rangers have managed during a calamitous start to 2020.
Celtic always knew two games would be critical before travelling to Ibrox next weekend. A trip to Aberdeen ended in victory thanks to Kristoffer Ajer’s late goal. Having already been beaten 2-0 at Livingston in october, lightning was set to strike twice until sub Tom Rogic claimed his stoppagetime equaliser.
‘It is not the best place to go and play,’ acknowledged Bitton. ‘We knew before the game, it’s going to be a dirty game.
‘It’s gonna be a lot of fighting, a lot of the dirty side of the game. We needed to match it.
‘Every away game in the scottish league is difficult. Everyone wants to stop us, everyone wants to beat us, to be the hero, and we need to accept it.’
Away from home, Livvy boast an indifferent challenge. on their own surface, with their Tony Pulis tactical playbook, they put up a formidable challenge. For Celtic, a point on Wednesday night while Rangers were dropping three felt title-clinching.
‘I actually prefer this surface to st Johnstone,’ said Bitton bluntly. ‘It’s okay — there’s no excuses for us. We knew what we were coming for and I think we played some good football. We created enough chances to win the game.
‘We didn’t, we got the equaliser in stoppage time and we need to make sure we cut the sloppiness.
‘We gave away two goals and we got punished, so we’ve got to make sure that it’s not going to happen again.’
The impetus for a point came from elsewhere. shellshocked by the loss of another goal just 50 seconds into the second half, Celtic supporters rallied when news came through that Hamilton had gone in front at Ibrox.
‘I don’t know about the other guys but I heard our fans roaring during the game, when we were 2-1 (down), so I was like: “What’s going on?”’ laughed Bitton.
‘Then I realised Rangers were playing at the same time, so I thought something happened there. But, you know, during the game you don’t think about it, you concentrate on yourself, you concentrate on your game.’
outwith their trip to Ibrox next weekend, few games are likely to be as challenging for Celtic as Livingston away.
With nine to play, the champions know that six wins — probably less — will secure another step towards ‘the ten’. Just don’t expect them to discuss the subject.
‘We were 12 before so, one more point, it’s okay,’ shrugged Bitton. ‘I mean it’s a long way to go.
‘still nine games, 27 points is enough points to try and close the gap, we need to make sure it’s not going to happen.
‘We need to make sure we remain focused, remain concentrated.
‘It’s a good advantage for us — but we created it. We made it happen.
‘After the old Firm game before the winter break, everyone killed us, everyone wanted us to fail.
‘But it’s a winning mentality around the dressing room, around the club, it is a belief.
‘And we knew that, if we’re going to do the things right, we’re going to come back stronger.’