Nir Bitton

Today's PC
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NIR Bitton is enjoying his role in the heart of the Hoops defence and he has warned this Saturday’s opponents Kilmarnock that Celtic will look to push the bar higher still following their impressive performance against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in midweek.

Bitton lined up in a Celtic back-four when the Bhoys stormed to a 3-0 win over second-place Aberdeen. It was an impressive performance from Brendan Rodgers' side, with the Israeli intenrationalist playing at the back with characteristic coolness.

Speaking to the media at Lennoxtown today (Friday), the 25-year-old discussed the challenge of adapting to the new position.

“As long as we keep a clean sheet I enjoy it," Bitton said. "I try to do my best in every game I play in and learn from the guys around me like Mika, Jozo and Dedryck, whoever I play with. They talk with me in every game, they try to guide me and in return, I try to do my best.

“If I need to develop myself as a centre-back now, and if this is what the gaffer wants me to do, then that’s what I’ll do. It’s always good to have a guy in the team who can play many positions and there’s nothing wrong with that. As long as I can play, I will do my best.”

Celtic’s game against Aberdeen on Wednesday was widely billed as their toughest domestic test of the season so far, and the team delivered an outstanding performance, dominating the Dons to get the win and go three points clear at the top of the Premiership table.

Another positive result this weekend against Kilmarnock would see Brendan Rodgers’ team equal Celtic’s 100-year-old record of 62 domestic games unbeaten. However, Bitton asserted that he and his team-mates were focused only on the 90 minutes and not any records that might be equalled.

“We try to set the bar high all the time,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if we play against Aberdeen, Kilmarnock or Bayern Munich. We try to set it higher each time. The game against Aberdeen was very good and I think we showed everyone what we're capable of.

“We go into the game tomorrow and we want to win another a game and keep first place. All the things around it is for the newspapers and the media to focus on. We try to concentrate on every game and try to win every game. We don’t think about breaking our unbeaten run. We go into every game to show everyone we are Celtic.”

 

NIR Bitton last night insisted he had learned enough about playing at centre half to start for Celtic in their Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich next week.

Central midfielder Bitton has been moved in to the middle of the Scottish champions' defence to cover for injured team mates this season.

But Brendan Rodgers moved Mikael Lustig to the heart of his rearguard in the Group B match against Munich in Germany last week and left Bitton on the bench.

The Israeli, though, is hopeful he will get the nod to start in the rematch with Jupp Heynckes's star-studded side at Parkhead on Tuesday night.

That is even though the Bavarian giants can field Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller in attack.

"For me, it doesn’t matter who you play," said Bitton. "Every game is different, every game is difficult. Sometimes when you play Scottish league it is more direct, more elbows and stuff.

"Sometimes Europe is more about positioning, it is more about reading the game, it is more about being smart.

“I don’t think it's more difficult to play in Europe. As a professional, you need to adapt yourself. We will see what happens.

"If the gaffer trusts me to play centre back I will do my best. I try to learn my position every day, I try to watch clips, I try to watch the best defenders in the world.

“I am expecting to play every game. But it is not about me and it is not about anyone else it is about Celtic. The XI that the gaffer chose for that Bayern game he thought were the best.

"We are a team. The bench players just want the team to be a success and we want to be part of this team because this team is very special. As long as I play the next game. I will do my best.”

He added: “It is all about positioning. To be honest, playing at centre back came from nowhere for me. I remember the game against Rosenborg away. I didn’t think about coming on at centre back.

"But the gaffer trusted me, gave me an opportunity and I am happy that I did my best. Since then I have tried to learn my positioning. In every game I speak with the guys around me.”

Bitton revealed he had also had conversations Virgil van Dijk, his former Celtic team mate who is now playing for Southampton, about playing at centre half.

“I am a £50 million player now!" he joked. "Seriously, though, Virgil is a good friend of mine. He is top class. I don’t think there are many players who can do what Virgil does. "But I think this is the reason why the gaffer plays us from the back - to take the ball, to drive forward, to find spaces, to pass the ball. I try to do my best.

“Yeah, I have told Virgil I’m coming for him. Seriously, though, it is something that I really enjoy right now.

"As long as I play I am happy. As long as I am part of this team it is the best thing for me. I try to do my best.”

 

First time I've ever heard him speak.

 

Really.

 

really

He's a good man is Nir.

 

Wish he'd do that more often.

 

He's a CB now he won't be doing that again.

 

Then again.

 

Some moments of genius there

 

He's got it in him to score belters all the time.

 

I'm really starting to like him again, he's a very good option in there for us domestically, really suits being the 'ball player' within a back 3.

 

Happy birthday big man

 

Lustig has a tendency to launch it aimlessly so Bitton will at least make us a bit calmer at the back. Can't be surrending possession if we can help it.

 

Play well at the moment but no way he should start against Bayern an centre back, he is poor positionally and switching off at times (Hibs 2nd goal in the Semi for example), not his fault since he’s not a natural centre back but still he shouldn’t be in the first 11 on Tuesday.

 

Hes better than any other backup currently so he will be playing.