It’s never a good feeling being out of side but when I go home & see my little Emma nothing else matters SAYS

maybe having other kids. I want to maximise what I have here.”

And he aims to do that by hanging around at Celtic for as long as possible.

Bitton has fought his way back into Rodgers’ plans and impressed again in yesterday’s 6- 0 Cup romp against Inverness.

He signed a new deal in 2015, which ties him to the club until 2020, and the big Israeli is loving life in Glasgow.

He said: “I’ve played in the last few games and it’s the best feeling to be back in the team. I want to help us win as much as possible. No one can complain because every player has had a chance.

“I played for the f irst three months then got an injury against Rangers in the semi-final at Hampden.

“I came off and Stuart took his chance brilliantly. He was amazing.

“I need to deal with the competition. It’s not easy mentally because you always want to be part of it but you have to respect your team-mates and be happy when the team’s winning.

“I’ve never spoken about wanting to leave. There’s always rumours about players going and that’s something I’ve had to deal with.

“But after a chat with the gaffer I said I wanted to stay. I want to show him that I deserve to play here. I’m not a guy who says when I’m not playing: ‘OK, I want to leave.’ That’s not me. “For now I don’t want to go anywhere. If I did I wouldn’t have signed a new contract.

“I’m happy here. I’m playing for one of the greatest clubs in Europe with amazing fans.

“When I was a child, I couldn’t have asked for more than that. When you play for this type of club you don’t want to leave.”

Bitton is flourishing beside Brown in midfield and reckons the Scot is one of the finest skippers he has played with.

He said: “No one can do the job Broony does for Celtic. He’s the most important player for Celtic and when he doesn’t play, you feel the difference.

“He’s one of the best captains I’ve ever played with.”