Neil Lennon expects to see Nir Biton emerge as a major influence at Celtic over the coming months.
The midfielder has had a stop start to his hoops career and fell foul of his gaffer when he was red carded against Ajax for a needless foul shortly after coming on as a substitute.
Celtic fans have seen glimpses of a domineering, disciplined midfielder in recent appearances with the Israeli putting in an outstanding display last Sunday in the 0-0 draw with Galatasaray.
The hoops return to Champions League qualifiers in July with Lennon expecting Biton to play a major role in that campaign.
“Nir had two great games,” the hoops boss told Celtic TV looking back on the trip to Turkey. “I thought that in the first half against Galatatasaray he was outstanding against really good company.
“He has a really good presence on the pitch, he has a good range of ability in his passing and athleticism about the pitch.
“Now he has to take that into the British game, it’s a little bit different, some players have found it difficult to adjust to the British game but we know that they have the talent.
“Nir is certainly one of those that we are thinking in five or six months time or in a year will be a stand out player here.”
Biton formed an impressive partnership with Liam Henderson against Galatasaray with another new face coming in to add competition to the hoops midfield.
Stefan Johansen cost Celtic £2m from Stromgodset of Norway with Lennon looking forward to working with his latest recruit.
“He’s a left sided midfield player, very well balanced and very technical,” the Celtic boss explained. “He has a good range of passing and is a good athlete, he gets up and down the pitch and is creative, he can see a pass.
“We knew that he was a much sought after player so we are pleased to have signed him. Having spoken with him he is delighted with the challenge that lies ahead. He fits the bill for us, he is 23 and we expect him to come in and make an impact.”
Good article, Joe.
The midfield is beginning to take shape.
For a technical player, like Biton, you do not get time, in the 100 mph game here.
He will adapt and so will Johansen,who I
have a good gut feeling about.
With Brown,Mulgrew and Ledley ? in the
engine room,this area,should now funtion
better, than it has been.
Kayal, at 22k,should be sold.
If Lawwell fails to fill our ‘ iconic ‘ No. 7
jersey,with a quality striker.Does anybody
agree, Kenwyne Jones,at Stoke,would be
worth a punt ?
He is in dispute at Stoke.At 29,with 6 months left on his contract, he good do a
job for us.
A few years ago,he was good target man,
excellent in the air.
Maybe,he has just lost his direction.Like
big Sutty,we could bring out the best in
him, and use him to great effect.
Anybody agree ?
With Brown, Ledley, Mulgrew and Biton, all battle’ng for central midfield berths, i have a funny feeling stefan johansen will intially be deployed wide left….. i mean, its looking like samaras is leaving… therefore boeriggter is our only left wing/left midfield player. And he can’t be relied upon. Therefore, it seems to me, our new signing may be introduced in to the fold, by playing on the left.
My other thought, is that we should cash in on Ledley now. His contracts up in the summer. If we could get 1 million, or 1.3million for him in this window, and get rid of his 25k per wk wages… this would free up even more funds to chase a 4 / 5 million striker.
Also, move Kayal on to another club… for his own benefit. Unfortunately, lee mcculloch has ruined what would of been a real star midfielder. Would be sorry to see Kayal go, but he isn’t going to feature any more. Accept 400/500k for him, and promote him to clubs down in the championship, or even abroad.
Sign a left back, and sign a true number 9, and i’ll be happy with our lot.
Agree Ruggyman, re ledley.
By selling both Ledley and Kayal, the club
can save nearly 50k.
Money that can be put to good use, to buy
quality strikers. ( pay wages )
I am greedy, I want 2 strikers.A partnership up front. A target man,No 9,
and a prolific goalscorer to.fill our ‘ iconic’
No 7 jersey.
I agree Johansen will start wide.left, but I
see him slotting in beside Biton or Brown,
when he settles in.
To Peter
Jones? def not mate, hes not a goal scorer at all. He would make a good CB but he makes Sami look prolific….
Big P,
Fair point re Jones.
A few years ago,he looked a good player.
A target man, who could hold up the ball
etc.
I thought, maybe, he had lost his focus.And a new start,could be the makings of him.
For me Sammy,Ledley, Kayal, mcGeouch can all hit the road. With the new dude in the engine room with Broony, Biton, Mulgrew and bringing through a couple of the kids . We are well covered. Matthews an Fisher can also play in midfield or wide of it whilst young Frser coming back from a cruciate deserves a run.