Chris Sutton believes that Nir Bitton can’t be risked again in Europe as a defender.
The Israeli internationalist was pushed into the back four when Erik Sviatchenko was injured against Rosenborg and was outstanding last week in the 5-0 home win over Astana.
Without Jozo Simunovic by his side it was a different story as the Celtic defence was cruelly opened up through the second half.
None of the back four emerged with any credit as Astana scored three times in 25 minutes to send panic through the hoops support.
“Bitton cannot play centre-half!”@chris_sutton73 thinks the defeat at Astana is not the “worst thing” in the long-term. pic.twitter.com/iWVhiPsLJw
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) August 22, 2017
“I said before the first leg that Bitton was a £30m gamble,” the BT Sport pundit said. “Brendan Rodgers must see tonight that Bitton cannot play centre half, he doesn’t have the defensive instinct.
South African Rivaldo Coetzee is expected to sign later this week but even the return of Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic is unlikely to give the hoops the same strength in defence as they have in midfield.