Nir Bitton has confirmed that he did indeed receive a new Celtic contract offer and has explained to Israeli media why he turned it down.
Bitton has ended a 9-year relationship with the Hoops after deciding to leave the club for a new challenge this summer. It brings to an end a trophy-laden period for him in which he managed to secure 15 winner’s medals.
Nir is far and away the most decorated Israeli to have ever played for the club, with all eyes now on what challenge comes next for the central midfielder.
However, the player has revealed that he did in fact have the option to stay at Celtic Park. Despite having a year-long option on his contract, Nir has stated he was offered a new deal as he addressed the situation as quoted by Sport 1:
“I signed a new contract in 2019. I just finished it after three years. They had an option to continue the contract and they offered me a new contract not on the terms of the option. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not about money. I just got some kind of extraction. I won everything there, I played in all the possible competitions against the biggest players and I want to experience something different, whether it’s abroad or if it’s in Israel.
“The week before the official announcement of the departure was very difficult for me. I cried a lot. I’d see videos and the tears would come out. It’s a club I’ve spent my entire career in. I’ve been through everything there: wins, sad moments, injuries, titles… I’ve seen my whole career go before my eyes in a few moments.
“In the last game, which was also a coronation game. I sat on the bench before the players came up and there was an exciting atmosphere. And when the Celtic crowd sang You’ll Never Walk Alone with the scarves in the air I cried and couldn’t control it. I owe Celtic a lot for the trust and everything they have given me in my career and life. I will stay a Celt forever.”
Nir Bitton was still wanted at Celtic as he turns down new contract
So there we have it. Celtic did in fact see a role at the club for Bitton and wanted him to stay.
This isn’t particularly surprising of course. He was such a decorated member of the first-team squad and had tremendous experience. Even this season, he was regularly utilised by Ange Postecoglou with 38 appearances to his name [Transfermarkt].
Nir has come on at vital times of the season for Celtic and done a fantastic job. The role he played in the 2-1 win at Ibrox back in April, for example, was heroic. He plugged the gap between defence and midfield expertly and eased Celtic to victory in one of our most important successes of the campaign.
When you’ve built up a legacy in the manner Nir has, it’s important to know the right time to depart. Evidently, he believed that time came after securing the Scottish Premiership title back.
Bowing out as a winner is absolutely imperative. We’ve seen what can happen to certain reputations when they don’t leave at the right time.
Now, we continue to wait to see what’s next for Bitton as he takes an interesting next step in his career.
In other news, Report: Yet another former Celtic hero could follow David Marshall back to Scotland
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
