Ex-Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton is set for his first managerial role aged just 34.
The Israeli international, who could play as both a midfielder and defender, made 245 appearances across nine years in Glasgow.
Signed By Neil Lennon after having trials at Manchester City, he became one of the most decorated Celtic players of the modern era, winning 18 trophies.
He left Celtic in 2022, moving to Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he played under Robbie Keane. He later returned to boyhood club FC Ashdod.
And it’s there where he is now set to kickstart his managerial career.
Let’s hear your predictions!
Ex-Celtic man Nir Bitton set for managerial debut
Bitton has made nine appearances this season for the club he is about to start managing.
Understandably, therefore, he will be player-manager, not giving up on his playing career yet.
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Ashdod sacked manager Haim Silvas this week after their 5-2 defeat to Hapoel Kiryat Shmona which left them fourth-bottom in the Israeli Premier League.
Ex-Israel manager Alon Hazan will join Bitton in the dugout, with the ex-Celtic man unable to officially be named manager until he completes his coaching qualifications.
It was Ashdod who sold Bitton to Celtic in 2013, a year after selling them Efe Ambrose. The pair made quite the number of Hoops appearances between them.
Agent Dudu Dahan was a huge influence in these deals, also bringing the likes of Beram Kayal and Rami Gershon to Celtic Park under Lennon.
More recently, Ismaila Soro and Hatem Elhamed have been signed from the Israeli Pro League.
And this week, of course, we have witnessed the unfolding of a bizarre saga surrounding Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi, whom Celtic are trying to sign from Maccabi Netanya.
Jocelin Ta Bi on his Celtic move
Speaking about his proposed move to Glasgow – when he thought it was imminent – Ta Bi said: “Playing for a club like Celtic is a dream come true for me.
“But without the support and love I received in Israel, I would not have reached these levels. The decision to come here and the trust I received from the club and my friends led me to progress.
“I will not forget the period I have had on loan at Hapoel Petah Tikva and the love and warmth that surrounded me.
“I am going to fulfil a big dream, at a famous club and in one of the best stadiums in the world.”
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