Nir Bitton

Thanks for the service..

 

Nir Bitton is considering quitting Celtic in the summer and returning to Israel after nine glittering years in Glasgow.

The 30-year-old is on the verge of collecting his eighth Premiership winners’ medal with the Hoops – and his 18th honour overall – after played a big part in the club’s decade of dominance.


Record Sport understands Celtic have the option of activating another year on his current deal but the midfielder is weighing up offers from his homeland, with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa keen on landing the international star.

Bitton hinted at the weekend his time at the club was coming to an end as he posted pictures with his family on the Parkhead pitch saying, “It’s been a * of a journey”.

Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou has viewed versatile Bitton as a valued member of his champions-elect this season, with the playmaker making 37 appearances.




The Israel star was signed by Neil Lennon in 2013 for a bargain £1m from Ashdod in his homeland and while he often struggled to nail down a permanent position, he was an important squad man for Ronny Deila, Brendan Rodgers and Lennon in his second spell before this term.




Postecoglou has already signed deep lying midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi with a view for next season after the Japan cap was injured on his debut against Alloa, while James McCarthy has also provided experienced back up in the engine room this term.

 

Think we should move him on and think he should be looking for a move as well. Hands up, he's done my head in for the majority of his time here, a decent season for him no doubt but time to go for me. With the wages he's on and the age he's at I think we should deploy those finances in someone who will be a regular starter for us at CDM.

 

If he does leave this summer then he will go after a solid season and overall a long career in the hoops that he can be proud of. Never complained when he wasn't a regular starter and for the most part put in a solid shift during his time at Celtic.
We still need to bring in a quality 6 IMHO this summer regardless. But I can see this happening as McCarthy has shown enough IMHO that he can be seen as a good enough back up at 6 as long as we bring in a quality 6 to start.

 

When you see Nir Bitton on the bench or the stand you can see genuine joy from him when Celtic score. Some players thump the badge and go through the motions but I get the impression Celtic mean a lot to Nir. I hope he gets a good send off from the fans and will rightly be welcome back at Parkhead any time.

 

Thank you Niro for your service to the club. Hope you get a proper send off and all the best for your next move.

 

Will be very sad to see him go.

 

I think he could have been utilised more this season. He's a good player but with Ideguchi coming back to full fitness next season, we probably won't notice the gap so to speak. Great servant to the club, though.

 

Be a good time for him to go, sort of going out on a high. He has a bagful of medals, so all the best.
We need to move forward with squad improvement, so would be good to free up a wage and maybe even get a million also.

 

He epitomises squad player dolls in when needed flashes of class age no doubt helped abada settle if he goes i hour we give him a testimonial

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I think it wouldn’t be a bad time for him to go from how he will be remembered. This has been his best season all be it as a squad player for sometime. We will win a double and he still has time on his side to get a decent contract elsewhere.

He does seem rated as a character to have around the dressing room, so not great to lose him from that perspective. However if we did sign another DCM his game time would be limited.

 

No need for nostalgia goggles. He was decent enough, a good servant no doubt, but I'm glad he's leaving. Any player who gives 9 years to Celtic deserves respect and a good send off, and I hope we all show him that.

 

Players like Bitton are perfect for Celtic. Pretty reliable squad player and puts in solid performances most of the time.

There were times I thought he was brilliant, mostly when he got a 10-15game run in the first XI.

Had his bad moments but who doesn’t. A 7/10 transfer that has been good value for money and wish him well.

 

Replace with younger guy hopefully

 

Rarely let us down, good luck big man, if you do go ..

Hopefully tho, the first sign of a leaner quality squad..

 

Hopefully starts on Saturday or at least get half an hour.

 

Cheers for the memories









Nir added: “When I came to Celtic I never thought I would be part of such exciting times and it truly has been amazing to be part of such a great club.

“I have worked with some great managers and team-mates and I thank them all for those times and all we achieved together.”

'We have dominated the game here for so long and now this year as champions we have done it again, something us as players and supporters we should all be really proud of.'

“After a season of real hard work, when many never gave us a chance, we are champions again – the whole squad, manager and our staff were determined to deliver this to our fans.

“I want to thank everyone at the club and our fans for the support I have received during my time at Celtic and I wish the club absolute success for the future.”

 

Was never my favourite player but he definitely came on and helped us at time's this season more than he has the last 2 or 3..

Was supposedly very good around the dressing room as well..

The right time. All the best..