Celtic fans watched through the gaps between their fingers as Nir Bitton kept the Europa League hopes of Jablonec alive.
Twice Celtic were enjoying comfortable two goals leads when the makeshift defender was caught out to give the Czech side encouragement with goals straight through the centre of the defence.
Joe Hart was left badly exposed for each goal as Celtic fans watched on as Bitton left his mark on another European qualifying campaign. Two weeks ago his sending off at home to Midtjylland opened the door to the Danes when Celtic looked to be in control.
Fortunately Jablonec weren’t as competent as Midtjylland with Celtic able to pick them off with four goals that should make next week’s return leg a formality although a scare or two can’t be discounted.
Despite another poor performance away to Hearts on Saturday Bitton retained his place, lining up alongside Carl Starfelt who must be wondering what he has walked into.
While Bitton was the fall guy on Twitter some fans were wondering what Stephen Welsh had done to deserve getting dropped. When Sunday’s team to face Dundee is announced the make up of the back four will be causing most interest.
WATCH: Nir Bitton’s own goal makes it 3-2 ? pic.twitter.com/y9i7InLxcr
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) August 5, 2021
Bitton already has 3X big mistakes in 3x games…
? Red against Midtjylland.
? Not jumping for Hearts winner.
? Ball watching today.He can’t continue.
— ? Gastro Celtic ? (@Gastro_Celtic) August 5, 2021
Good result in the end. A lot of good pressing and attacking football. Defensive frailties still there. Bitton had a nightmare and was culpable for the two goals conceded. We will improve, but we need defenders #FKJCEL #CelticFC ?
— Christopher (@chrisfauxfur) August 5, 2021
If you’re Stephen Welsh you’re entitled to feel a bit hard done by at Bitton being picked ahead of ye, he sold us against Midtjylland and he’s generally honking a hope Ange hasn’t developed a wee blind spot for him.
— ??????? Boyle?? (@Boyle_67) August 5, 2021
Not sure what Ange sees in Bitton but this experiment must now stop.
Hapless.
— 20 Minute Tims (@20MinuteTims) August 5, 2021
Welsh has to start ahead of Bitton from now on. pic.twitter.com/jseOzVZn2t
— ? Celtic1967.com ? (@Celtic1967_com) August 5, 2021
I can only assume Stephen Welsh made a quip about “throwing another shrimp on the barbie” or something cause there is no other explanation I can think of that means Bitton plays before him.
— E-Tims (@ETimsNet) August 5, 2021
Class result and should be enough to see us through, should’ve been about 10 in all honesty but will take it.
Get Bitton in the bin https://t.co/Uqyh2mizn2
— Seán Markus Clifford (@seanmarkus_67) August 5, 2021
Happy with the result, if not defensive display.
How does Bitton get a start? Beyond me. He even managed to fit in an OG.
Welsh must have punched Ange in training.
— ??????? ?? ?????? (@MrTonyMcGowan) August 5, 2021
That should have been a lot more, Abada looks an absolute find, Kyogo excellent the difference a hungry striker makes, Turnbull and Soro need to improve, that has to to the final nail in the coffin for Bitton at CB, cannot go another day without defensive recruitment in@CelticFC
— Sean Berry ??? (@berrier7) August 5, 2021
