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Celtic manager Neil Lennon is hoping for a big season from Israeli midfielder Nir Bitton after he struggled with injuries last term, as reported by The Scottish Sun.
What’s he said?
Played at centre-back on Tuesday night against Bosnian champions FK Sarajevo, Bitton filled in adequately on the night, with Lennon admitting that new signing Christopher Jullien wasn’t quite ready for first-team action.
He’s now hoping that wherever the 27-year-old plays, he can prove effective.
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As quoted by The Scottish Sun, the Celtic Park boss said:
“I’m looking for a big season from Nir, no matter what position he plays.
“He’s had a very good pre-season after a bad injury. It was a concerted period out for him, ten months to a year. He played a few games for me last season, but he still had a little problem with his knee.
“Nir went away with Israel at the end of the season and has come back looking really good. We have now thrown down the challenge to him to step up and make an impact on the team. He has the game to do it.
“Nir is 27 and he’s a good athlete. There is more to come from him. But I have been very pleased with him so far. Nir can play at the back, but it’s not ideal. Christopher Jullien isn’t up to speed yet and we are still looking to strengthen there, too.
“Ideally, I’d like Bitton to play in midfield, but he showed his qualities in defence too.”
Crucial season
Bitton is a long-serving player at Celtic, signed for the club by Lennon in his first spell at the club as manager back in 2013.
Having now made 182 appearances, he’s at a crucial crossroads in his Hoops career with less than a year left on his contract.
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Clearly from his comments Lennon is giving no thought to selling him, but the player will need to contribute well to win a new deal before it expires next summer.
Still 27 years of age, he has time to go on and play for Celtic for many more years, but it’s likely he’ll only get an opportunity to do that if he lives up to his manager’s stated challenge to him this term.