Pat Bonner has taken aim at Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton on BBC Live’s coverage of Celtic’s defeat to Bodo/Glimt – as the Hoops suffered a 5-1 defeat on aggregate. Bonner suggested Bitton needs to more to stay at Celtic.
The 30-year-old midfielder captained Celtic in Norway, as Ange Postecoglou made a number of surprise decisions to his starting line-up. Callum McGregor, Jota and other big names were on the bench away from home.
The Israel international lasted the entire 90 minutes but it was another disappointing night in Europe – as Celtic crashed out 5-1 on aggregate to the Norwegian champions. They lost 2-0 on Thursday, after 3-1 loss in Glasgow.
Covering the game for BBC Sport, the website’s live site quoted Bonner in his verdict of Bitton. He heaped criticism on the long-serving Celtic man, suggesting he will need to do a whole lot more to remain at Parkhead.
“That pass was absolutely awful from Nir Bitton, he has had one of those nights. He needs to really concentrate on his game to show that the manager what he has to offer in future,” Bonner said, during the match.
Bonner on Bitton: Celtic future is dwindling under Postecoglou
There have been times this season where Celtic fans have been genuinely impressed with Bitton – even surprised. The midfielder has been used regularly by Postecoglou, as cover for even alongside McGregor in midfield.
But after bringing in three midfielders in January in the form of Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi and Matt O’Riley – as well as boasting Ismaila Soro and James McCarthy as well as McGregor, Bitton is playing for his future.
He has a contract at Celtic until June 2023 but the chances of him lasting beyond the summer, with performances like that and Celtic already boasting a bloated squad, seem unlikely. He needs to improve, quickly.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
