Nir Bitton’s agent issued a not so cryptic tweet after Celtic’s 5-2 win over Hapoel Beer Sheva regarding his clients contribution to the hoops Champions League campaign.
The midfielder replaced Callum McGregor with Celtic holding onto a 3-2 lead and had a head in the third goal which was credited to Moussa Dembele.
With a 5-2 win secured Celtic need only avoid disaster to make it through to the group phase with Bitton making his debut at that level three years ago when he appeared, again as a substitute, in the San Siro against AC Milan.
VsAstana1-0.NirBittom in,End1-1.
TodayCeltic3-2.NirBitton in,End5-2
Neto Quality.— Dudu Dahan (@dududahan555) August 17, 2016
That message from Dudu Duhan could be read as an endorsement of Bitton’s role as a super sub or viewed as a note to Brendan Rodgers that the midfielder should be in his starting XI.
With his experience and local know how Bitton looks likely to start next week’s return match but despite playing in his homeland the 24-year-old will leave sentiment to one side.
“It was emotional to play against friends at Parkhead and it will be the same in Israel,” he admitted on Wednesday night. “I will have a lot of family and friends at the game next week.
“At the moment it will be around 30 family and friends, it would be more if I could get more tickets.
“It’s nice for me to go back to Israel for the first time with Celtic, and play against an Israeli team in front of my family. It’s always an emotional time — but I have to try and put it out of my mind.
“It’s nice for people to write about and it’s good for my family to get me back home but when I go out on the pitch then it has to be out of my head.
“I can’t get caught up in emotion as I try and help Celtic get to the Champions League.”
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