Some Celtic fans are desperate to see club’s versatile utility man Nir Bitton sign a new deal at the club and stay longer at Parkhead.
Bitton, the Israel international, has been an important player for the club since he arrived. He isn’t a regular but has stepped in when the club has needed cover in midfield or in the defensive area.
Bhoys boss Neil Lennon has recently said (via The Scottish Sun) that the club is looking to get Bitton to stay at the club, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.
Lennon has revealed that the defender is happy to stay and extend his deal at the club.
Celtic fans: Should Bitton stay?
He deserves it
Let him go
Some Hoops fans are delighted at the news and want him to stay longer at Parkhead.
Neil Lennon on Nir Bitton: “We don’t want Nir to go, we want him to stay. So talks are ongoing. He has made indications that he would like to stay and that is what we want too. Nir’s happy here and we’re hoping we’ll get a positive resolution to that as we go along.” pic.twitter.com/bsRl6xT4fp
— celticbible (@celticbible) December 2, 2019
Wouldn’t have batted an eyelid a year or so ago. Best season so far though.
— j, (@rjrjrj88) December 2, 2019
Fabulous footballer hope he stays can play anywhere….
— Paul C (@PaulC73155112) December 2, 2019
Great squad player to have, never any complaining just gets on with it when asked and plays anywhere
— Chris Canney (@canney_chris) December 2, 2019
Underrated player, no nonsense no drama does what is asked of him
— K9Dug (@K9Dug) December 2, 2019
Sign him up!!!
— Dave (@DavidHannan9) December 2, 2019
Nir is a Top Bhoy! Let’s get it done!
— Harry O’Donnell (@HarryODonnell16) December 2, 2019
Bitton joined Celtic from Israeli club Ashdod in the summer of 2013. But in 2015, the utility man penned a new deal at the club that is set to keep him at Glasgow till the summer of 2020.
So far this season, Bitton has played 17 times in all competitions for the club. He is yet to score or assist but has played 987 minutes of football. He started the first four games in the Premiership and also started the club’s first four games in the UEFA Champions League qualifying games.
Last season, he featured only 10 times in all competitions for the Hoops as he had returned from a knee injury in January 2019.
Throughout his time at Glasgow, Bitton has featured as many as 198 times in all competitions for the Bhoys. During this spell, he has scored 12 times and has racked up 14 assists as well.
What do we think?
Bitton is a faithful and no-nonsense battler for the club. Despite not playing much, he has stayed at the club without complaining too much. An attitude like that is rare in football today. And he does a job in whatever position he plays in- be it the defence or midfield.
With the club currently having just option in the defensive midfield position in Scott Brown, Bitton could play a role there as the season wears on. While Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer have established a sound centre-back pairing, Bitton will step up if any one of them gets injured. That will key as the games come thick and fast.