Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton has hit out at the “crazy decisions” in Scottish football as he defended his last sending-off for the Hoops.
Tomorrow night, the Bhoys will travel to Tannadice looking to end Dundee United’s Scottish Cup hopes and book our third trip to Hampden this season. It comes after Celtic won the Premier Sports Cup back in December.
Games against United have been a mixed bag this season, with Bitton in particular suffering a day to forget against them last time at Celtic Park. Nir was sent off for a second booking with just 9 minutes to go as Celtic were tied 0-0. Thankfully, however, Liel Abada popped up with a priceless winner to make it a memorable day that provided us the platform to overtake Rangers just days later.
But even if it was a memorable day for Ange Postecoglou, Bitton will still remember it for being given his marching orders. And as he looks ahead to tomorrow night’s game, the Israeli still doesn’t sound too pleased with it.
As quoted by the Glasgow Times, Bitton said: “First of all I don’t think it was a red card, you know we have seen some crazy decisions in this league. It is a game of football and we have seen a lot of times when teams have won games with ten players, even nine players. If I had stayed on the pitch I don’t know if we would have won the game so maybe my red card was better for the team.
“I will be honest with you having been here nine years this club is always wanting to win. There is no time to settle in or take your time. As soon as you sign for this club there is a big expectation on you. Everyone expects you to win games and everyone expects you to compete for titles, trophies.
“When the gaffer signed we all knew it would be a tough start because a lot of new players came in but we have improved a lot in this time. We are a good place and hopefully it will continue.”
Nir Bitton playing his Celtic utility role perfectly under Ange Postecoglou
Bitton isn’t a constant in the Celtic starting line-up these days. The truth is he hasn’t been for some time. With only 19 outings from the start this term, it’s clear Ange views him as a reliable squad player more than anything.
However, having appeared a total of 34 times for the club in all competitions this term, he’s still regularly utilised [Transfermarkt]. He plays his utility role well, and more importantly, he’s at peace with what that role is.
Bitton isn’t the kind of player that will go into a huff if he isn’t in the starting line-up. Football doesn’t work like that and players with Nir’s attributes are always going to be used when the situation demands it. Again, something the former Ashdod star appears to understand.
He still has the odd rash moment in him. Whilst his second booking against Dundee United back in January was harsh, it was a silly foul to make. It gave the referee a decision to make, and came after a similarly stupid red card against Midtjylland in Ange’s first competitive game.
Red cards are something Nir has never really managed to weed out of his game. It’s unfair to say he can’t be relied upon, but these moments do tend to crop up just when you feel you need them the least.
Even so, he’ll be looking for some personal revenge come tomorrow night when we travel to Tannadice. Whether he even makes the starting XI of course? That’s still up for debate.
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