Departing duo bow out on a high

TOM ROGIC and Nir Bitton last night said emotion farewells to Celtic Park.

Signed six months apart in 2013, the pair have enjoyed long and trophy-laced careers in Glasgow but have opted to depart for new pastures.

Bitton, who joined from Ashdod, is set to return home to Israel this summer.

Rogic, who signed six months earlier from Central Coast Mariners, is also likely to pursue options in the Middle East.

Rogic started yesterday’s 6-0 win over Motherwell and admitted he was overcome when substituted midway through the second half.

He said: ‘I couldn’t contain my emotion. It’s a special club, it’s been an enormous part of my life.

‘I came here when I was 20, now I’m 29. I’ve experienced so many memories in that time.

‘It wasn’t a decision I took lightly but I feel the timing is right.’

Bitton got the last five minutes of the game, assuming the captain’s armband from Callum McGregor. He added: ‘When I signed for this club I knew the expectations were high.

‘It’s winning trophies, it’s the Champions League.

‘There are so many memories. My debut. The winning of the Treble — an amazing moment.

‘And especially this title, to finish this journey on a high, the way I wanted to finish.’