Nir Bitton

Van Dijk remains close friends with Nir Bitton, the Hoops midfielder converted into a centre-half by boss Brendan Rodgers.

Bitton likes to try and play the ball from the back just like his Dutch pal, and recently joked he’s now the £50m man.

Van Dijk has passed on good advice to the Israeli about playing the role, and it’s been clear in recent weeks just how well Bitton’s listened to him.

Against Bayern Munich last week, he was one of Celtic’s best players, and it’s obvious he’s fast growing in confidence playing at the back.

It’s also been impressive that Bitton’s shone in a strange position, despite having multiple partners at the heart of the Hoops defence.

Holland stopper Van Dijk’s delighted for his friend, and revealed they have got holiday plans for next summer.

Van Dijk added: “I told Nir it is not that easy to play at centre-half, but he is a good player.

“I speak to him a lot and we are probably going on holiday together as well.

“He is a good friend of mine, and it is good to see him playing so well.

“Hopefully, he can keep doing what he is doing because he is a top player.”

 

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Brendan on centre half issue - Not too many Toure’s about. It’s a challenge to bring in. Do you bring in a young talent? We need to sign a centre half. We have great centre half’s but they need to be available

Nir Bitton has been brilliant for me


BR - People have been watching Nir with confirmation bias. He’s been great We want to develop the club and squad and looking to do that

 

He’s had a solid season so far, last summer was expecting him up be shipped but I can see Bredan hanging on to him

 

Brendan is spot on there with the confirmation bias aspect I’d say!

 

BRENDAN Rodgers last night claimed Nir Bitton has become the best centre half in Scotland outside of Celtic ahead of his side's Champions League group match against Paris Saint-Germain next week.

Bitton, the Israel internationalist who has been unable to get a game in central midfield for the Glasgow club, played in defence again yesterday and helped the Scottish champions keep a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Ross County in Dingwall.

With Jozo Simunovic not having featured since the 3-0 win over Anderlecht in Belgium back at the end of September, the 26-year-old looks certain to start in the Group B match in France on Wednesday evening.

It will be a tall order for him to play out of his natural position in the middle of the park against Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar – the most expensive strikeforce in the history of football - but Rodgers has complete faith in him being able to perform there.

“This guy gets slated for not being a centre-half, but I haven’t seen one better outside of Celtic,” he said. “He’s heading it, he’s defending it aggressively and then he goes and he can play. It was a great tribute to him. I thought he was outstanding. A clean sheet was important for us

“I’ve had comfort with Nir, that’s why he continues to play. He’s only going to get better in that position. You saw him against Bayern Munich, he was probably the man of the match, he was absolutely outstanding in that game.

“He’s still learning the role, learning the position and learning that aggressive side to it. But also in a team of dominance, the players behind need to be confident on the ball. You can see how he steps into today and gives that extra dimension.”

 

Honest big player,doing well to learn fast.
What's the ratio of goals lost when he plays ch in domestic games...anyone know?

 

Another decent performance he loves being here and BR has faith in him what's not to like.

 

Looks better game by game in that CB role, strolled it yesterday

 

He just needs to add a little more aggression and concentration to his game and then he will have the potential to be a great centre half for us, with his composure and passing ability.

In domestic football, he can get away with lapses in concentration and not being as aggressive as we’re rarely on the back foot. In Europe though, that’s where we’ll really see Nir’s progress in the centre half position.

 

Beginning to really take to the position and strolling it domestically. Still have the fear with him in there on Tuesday, though.

 

He was excellent yesterday.

 

Thought he was * poor in that first half especially yesterday..

 

He'll be fine on Tuesday its Wednesday you have to worry about


He's done way better than expected

 

I'm really taking to him as a player, he has way more fight in him than I ever imagined

 

Just a came to basically post this word for word.

Love it when a player turns it around.

 

There he is. Welcome back you shitebag


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By far our best centre back tonight for me.

 

He’s been our best centre back almost all season