The Hoops defender is back in training for Brendan Rodgers and is eager to kick on following a long spell out injured.
Nir Bitton has described himself as “kind of a new signing” for Celtic following his return to training after a long-term knee injury.
The 27-year-old fell awkwardly on his knee when the Hoops faced Ross County in November 2017, though he played on during the game and for a number of months.
However, after featuring in a defeat to Kilmarnock in February last year, Bitton went down to London to see a doctor, who told him he would be out for up to 12 months, as reported by the Daily Record.
Now, the Israel international has made his return to training with Brendan Rodgers’ side in Dubai during Scottish football’s winter break, and he is eager to kick on following his long spell on the sidelines, whilst admitting he has never thought about leaving Parkhead.
“(Moving in) January is not an option,” Bitton told STV in Dubai. “After 11 months out I don’t think about leaving now or in the summer, that’s not my target. My target is to get game time with Celtic, get back to winning ways and win some trophies.”
During Bitton’s absence, Celtic sealed the Double Treble, which was tough for him as he wanted to have contributed to the triumphs and celebrated with his teammates, but his next goal after getting game time is to be part of trophy victories.
“It is just good to be back playing, to be back training,” he added. “After 11 months out I can consider myself kind of a new signing but, as I say, I’m just happy to be back doing what I like and can’t wait to be back on the pitch.”
The £1.8m-valued player (Transfermarkt) is contracted to the club until 2020, so he has still got quite a bit of time to re-establish himself in Rodgers’ squad and perhaps play his part in keeping Celtic’s hands on the league title.
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