‘BITTON WILL MISS ISRAEL EUROGAMES’

NEIL LENNON has dismissed Israel boss Willi Ruttensteiner’s hopes of using Nir Bitton during the forthcoming internationals.

Bitton limped out of Celtic’s Europa League qualifying win over FK Sarajevo on Thursday after turning his ankle and was immediately ruled out of his country’s Euro 2020 play-off against Scotland this Thursday.

Ruttensteiner, however, has named the defender in his squad and insisted he could be fit to play in the subsequent Nations League matches against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

The Israeli boss said: ‘Nir Bitton has been called up and we will see if he can play with us in the second and third games in the Nations League.

‘I don’t think he will be able to train with us at first, but he will join up later.’

However, Lennon insists the 28-year-old will not be available and also remains a doubt for the Old Firm clash on October 17.

‘It’s going to be impossible, Nir won’t be fit,’ said Lennon in response. ‘His foot is in a pot at the moment to try to get the swelling down.

‘After that, there has to be a diagnosis of the damage, if there is any ligament damage or not.

‘I can’t see him being fit for any of the international games.

‘The Rangers match may be a stretch, too, but we won’t know until we have a proper look and get it scanned.’