Celtic midfielder makes Training Ground return

Nir Bitton was back in the thick of Celtic’s training at Lennoxtown. 

The Israeli signed out of 2021 in style with the captaincy and his first goal of the season at St Johnstone but was posted missing from Monday’s matchday squad against Hibs. 

No reason was given for Bitton’s absence but with his return to training it gives Ange Postecoglou another midfield option for Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie away to Alloa Athletic. 

Reo Hatate made an impressive debut against Hibs, playing alongside Tom Rogic and Callum McGregor. 

Yosuke Ideguchi came off the bench for the last 15 minutes with James McCarthy an unused substitute. 

With Matt O’Riley expected to sign, David Turnbull coming back from injury and Ismaila Soro still at the club Postecoglou isn’t short of options in the centre of the park going into Saturday’s match and beyond with vital SPFL matches coming around.