Celtic player Nir Bitton is happy playing as a defender to fulfil the needs of manager Brendan Rodgers.
Celtic utility player Nir Bitton has told the club’s official Twitter account that he is ready to convert to a defender at the request of manager Brendan Rodgers.
The Israeli international’s four previous seasons at Parkhead have been spent in his accustom midfield position.
But Celtic’s shortage of senior defenders have forced Rodgers to use Bitton as an emergency centre-back in most of his 14 appearances for the Bhoys this campaign.
Bitton has insisted that he is happy to play anywhere for the team and revealed to Celtic’s Twitter account that he is studying his teammates to learn the trade.
He told Celtic’s official Twitter account: “I enjoy playing in defence, as long as we keep a clean sheet I enjoy it. I try to do my best in every game I play in.
“I try to learn from the guys around me like Mika [Lusting], Jozo [Simunovic] and Dedryck [Boyata]. They talk with me in every game and try to guide me through it.
“If I need to develop myself as a centre back now, if this is what the gaffer wants me to do, then that’s what I’ll do. It’s always good to have a guy in the team who can play in many positions. As long as I play, I will do my best.”
Bitton’s midfield opportunities are limited by the likes of Scott Brown, Olivier Ntcham and Stuart Armstrong.
The 25-year-old has not always been a Celtic regular. His best season was in 2015-16 when he made 28 league starts.
This full-time change of position could do Rodgers a great service and help Bitton reestablish himself as a likely starter in the process.
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