Nir Bitton was handed a rare start by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers in their 4-1 thrashing of St Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
There is nothing more exasperating than watching on as a central midfielder with all the natural talent in the world ambles around the pitch, barely putting a foot in and never breaking sweat.
Like Mo Diame and Yaya Toure, Nir Bitton is one such player. The 25-year-old has insisted frequently that he wants to stay at Celtic despite falling out of favour under Brendan Rodgers but, in making his first start in over a month against St Johnstone on Saturday, the Israeli midfielder wasted a crucial chance to give his manager food for thought.
He toiled in the face of the visitor’s high-press early on and it’s difficult to shake the notion that Celtic’s defence looks a lot more vulnerable with Bitton holding the fort in front. Although the champions eventually roared to a 4-1 win, Steven MacLean’s leveller just after half time was just rewards for a sparky attacking display – one Bitton did little to prevent.
Costly blunder
It’s hard to believe that, just twelve months ago, Celtic refused to entertain offers of less than £10 million for the 25-year-old, as reported by the Daily Record. These days, Rodgers would surely snap your hand off for half that amount.
And the decision to field Bitton in central midfield appears all the more strange when you consider that Eboue Kouassi was left out of the squad altogether.
The 19-year-old, a January signing from FC Krasnodar, has featured just five times for Celtic so far but has appeared increasingly assured in each of his cameo appearances. And the home clash with St Johnstone appeared the ideal opportunity to give him only his second start.
Energetic and tenacious though typically raw, Eboue would surely have made a better impression than Bitton.
However, with the long-serving midfielder seemingly certain to leave, Eboue could find that he has more opportunities in the pipeline next season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
