I’M SO NIR TO 10-IN-A-ROW .. HOPE MY CELTS PALS CAN MAKE SAME MILESTONE TALEB TAWATHA

SAYS

Three Israeli pals bonded by nationality and now by their pursuit of doubledigit dominance.

Taleb Tawatha was one of the first to congratulate international team-mates Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed on their nine-in-a-row success with Celtic.

A month later the full-back joined them in reaching that milestone when he helped Ludogor e t s c l inch Bu l ga r i a ’ s Parva Liga with four games to spare.

Fol lowing the resumption of the domestic campaign, the club from the northern city of Razgrad were 14 points clear of nearest challengers CSKA Sofia and couldn’t be caught.

It continued Ludogorets’ domination of Bulgarian football and for Tawatha it was a first title success following his switch from Eintracht Frankfurt.

It was a similar story for Elhamed who moved to Glasgow last summer in a £1.6million move from Hapoel Be’er Sheva and impressed before a groin injury ended his season.

The defender found a familiar face on his arrival at Parkhead with Bitton having been part of seven of the Hoops’ nine title triumphs. Now Tawatha hopes the trio are toasting a 10th successive championship in 12 months time.

The 28-year-old told MailSport: “I play in the national team with Nir and Hatem and we’re all close friends. We’re always in touch and speak at least once a week.

“It’s funny to think that Celtic have won nine- in- a- row and so have Ludogorets– we are the dominant teams in our respective countries.

“Ludogor e t s haven’t been presented with the trophy yet so I h a v e n’ t posted anything on social media.

“Ni r and Hatem might not know we’re champions.

“Players

Nir, Hatem and I are in a close group of friends in the Israel squad and its funny to think that Celtic have won nine-in-a-row