Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton has declared that he is staying with the Scottish champions after a season rocked by a knee injury.
The 27-year-old made just 10 appearances for the Parkhead side this campaign and has only a year left on his contract. However, he is adamant he will be remaining in Glasgow.
“I still have a contract at Celtic so I am staying. I haven’t spoken to any other clubs,” he said, as per the Scottish Sun. “As long as I am under contract and Celtic believes in me, I will stay.
“I will do everything I can to return the faith and the investment Celtic have made in in me. Leaving is not an option.”
OPINION
Obviously Bitton has a year left on his deal and so strictly speaking he is staying with Celtic, as far as we know. But whether Neil Lennon wants him to remain with the club remains to be seen. The Israeli international was nowhere to be seen for much of the last campaign and so you wouldn’t blame the Hoops for wanting to move on from him this summer. At 27 years of age he is still in his prime, of course, but you always wonder whether a player is going to be the same after having been out for so long. Having just appointed Lennon as permanent boss it would appear to be a good time to redesign the squad in his image, and Bitton would seem to be one of those most vulnerable to leaving Parkhead in the near future. It would be slightly harsh given the service he has provided the Bhoys over the years, but football is ruthless. Bitton isn’t really a first team contributor for Celtic at this point, so maybe it’s time for the club to move him on this summer, despite his protestations.