Nir feels hungrier for glory
Nir Bitton insists Israel are hungry to beat Scotland in the Euro 2020 play-offs – because they have waited even longer than us for a major finals.
Israel haven’t qualified for a top tournament since the 1970 World Cup.
But they want to put that right by beating Scotland in March’s Hampden semi before seeing off Serbia or Norway in the final.
The Celtic ace said: “Scottish fans talk about not having qualified since 1998 – but our wait is 28 years longer. Everyone is choking for it.
“Scotland play a different style of football than Israel do and it will be a difficult match for us.
“But we beat the Scots 2-1 in the Nations League tie in Israel last year. That will give us confidence. It is a 50-50 match.”
Bitton reckons he might be taken off spying duties for Andi Herzog’s side despite being team-mates with a number of the Scotland starting XI.
The utility man turned scout before the return leg at Hampden and provided intel on team-mate James Forrest but the winger ran riot, scoring a hat-trick as Scotland won 3-2.
Bitton said: “I gave them information about Jamesie last year and he scored a hat-trick!
“I could give information about the players at Celtic but Scotland have a lot of good players at other clubs.
“We know that and will just need to be prepared.
“I’ve told Jamesie to watch himself because me and Hatem Elhamed are coming for him!
“It is a going to be a tough match. March is still cold here in Glasgow, probably rainy and windy as well, but we need to be prepared.
“We failed to qualify from the group so we are lucky that we still have this second chance.”