---
title: "Celtic: Fans send birthday wishes to Nir Bitton and call for new contract"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-fans-send-birthday-wishes-to-nir-bitton-and-call-for-new-contract/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-10-31T07:00:30Z"
modified: "2019-10-31T07:00:30Z"
---

# Celtic: Fans send birthday wishes to Nir Bitton and call for new contract

**Celtic defensive midfielder Nir Bitton celebrates his 28th birthday today and the occasion was marked by the club’s official Twitter channel [@CelticFC](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1189471815732793344).**

> Happy birthday, Nir Bitton! [pic.twitter.com/9OT33mibC9](https://t.co/9OT33mibC9)
>
> — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/CelticFC/status/1189471815732793344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

The Israel international is currently the [fifth longest-serving player at the club](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-fc/kader/verein/371/saison_id/2019/plus/1), having joined the Scottish champions in August 2013, and has made [195 appearances for the Hoops](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/129788) prior to tonight’s Premiership clash against St Mirren.

Although the majority of his Celtic apperances has [come as a defensive midfielder](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/129788/verein/371), Bitton has [played mainly as a centre-back this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdaten/spieler/129788), demonstrating his versatility to manager Neil Lennon.

He is [out of contract at the end of the current campaign](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/profil/spieler/129788), though, and in a recent interview with [Celtic View (Volume 55, Issue 16, Page 13)](https://www.celticfc.net/pages/celticview) \[[via HITC](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/10/24/nir-bitton-comments-on-celtic-stay/)\], he said that he wants to remain at the club for as long as possible.

The [Daily Record](https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/nir-bitton-set-celtic-contract-20058833) had reported in mid-September that the Hoops were ready to begin negotiations with the Israeli over a new contract following his return from a year-long injury absence, but as things stand he will be a free agent next summer.

These Celtic fans on Twitter wished Bitton a happy 28th birthday:

> One of the most underrated and under-appreciated players at our club.
>
> Happy birthday big man
>
> — Glesgy Tim (@Timmy27221307) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/Timmy27221307/status/1189475150934216704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Great servant to the club. Happy birthday Nir!
>
> — William Kay (@WullieKay) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/WullieKay/status/1189526256943017984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Can’t believe I share a birthday with this legend, happy birthday nir ill bring the cake tonight
>
> — donch67 (@donch67) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/donch67/status/1189474779251855360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Happy Birthday big man
>
> — Forster Fan (@Celtic12227908) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/Celtic12227908/status/1189472427824168960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Meanwhile, these Hoops supporters on Twitter called for the versatile Israeli to be presented with a new contract by the club:

> Let’s make sure he is here for ten in a row
>
> — 5littlestarsandthebigoldone (@5littlestarsan1) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/5littlestarsan1/status/1189522767382827008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> New contract for the big man
>
> — KAFKAmusic (@KAFKA66810486) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/KAFKA66810486/status/1189481605057957889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> New contract pls
>
> — Reece (@ReeceDurning) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/ReeceDurning/status/1189490967478448128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Give him the contract.
>
> — Liam King (@LK95\_) [October 30, 2019](https://twitter.com/LK95_/status/1189472129647042560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Do you think Celtic should tie down Bitton to a new contract as soon as possible? Comment below with your views!***