Nir Bitton praised for composed performance in Celtic win at Hibernian

Add as preferred source on Google

Many midfielders have failed to take control for Celtic at Easter Road in recent years, but Nir Bitton isn’t one of them.

The likes of Olivier Ntcham, Scott Brown, and Callum McGregor have failed to boss proceedings in Leith recently.

Yet, in yesterday’s successful 2-0 win at Easter Road, Bitton was a standout. Taking the place of McGregor, the midfielder put in a reliable display despite still being in the process of getting match-fitness up.

Supporters were also quick to acknowledge the work of the Israeli too. Taking to Twitter to post their views, fans couldn’t help but contain their pleasure at the performance of the renaissance man.

https://twitter.com/flyinghippo24/status/1101920000015810560

https://twitter.com/P__67/status/1101925114281689088

Energetic display and a timely return

To say Bitton’s return to the starting XI has been timely is probably even an understatement. It’s been absolutely crucial to Celtic motoring on after the departure of Brendan Rodgers.

Both Callum McGregor and Ryan Christie remain sidelined. Celtic effectively lost their legs in the midfield. But Bitton’s recent return has given Neil Lennon a much-needed alternative in the midfield.

Bitton, of course, has been out for 11 months with a knee injury. The fact he’s managed to come in against two of the top and energetic midfields in the Premiership whilst looking so assured is a credit to him.

The big question Lennon will eventually need to answer is whether he continues to keep his place. Both McGregor and Christie will return at some stage, and you can’t help but feel McGregor in particular simply needs to be in there. Then again, if Bitton keeps performing, how does Lennon justify dropping him?

If Bitton can perform at both Tynecastle and Easter Road, he can perform anywhere in Scotland. It’s clear he’s going to be a reliable option for Lennon moving forward between now and the end of the season.

And Bitton certainly has the backing of supporters after an impressive week back in the starting XI.