---
title: "Celtic: Nir Bitton keen to stay at the club beyond next summer"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-nir-bitton-keen-to-stay-at-the-club-beyond-next-summer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-10-24T16:15:31Z"
modified: "2019-10-24T16:15:31Z"
---

# Celtic: Nir Bitton keen to stay at the club beyond next summer

**Nir Bitton has indicated that he would like to stay at Celtic beyond the expiry of his current contract at the end of this season.**

In an interview with [Celtic View (Volume 55, Issue 16, Page 13)](https://www.celticfc.net/pages/celticview), the 27-year-old said that he feels the current campaign is a crucial one for him and expressed a desire to remain with the Hoops for as long as possible.

Bitton, who will be [out of contract next summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/profil/spieler/129788), told [Celtic View](https://www.celticfc.net/pages/celticview) \[[via HITC](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/10/24/nir-bitton-comments-on-celtic-stay/)\]: “Every season is important for a football player but, for me, this season is important because I finish my contract at the end of it. I obviously want to stay at Celtic for as long as I can.”

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Bitton was a [regular presence in Celtic’s line-up earlier this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdaten/spieler/129788) before a [thigh injury picked up in the derby win over Rangers](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4673227/celtic-nir-bitton-israel-injury-rangers/) nearly two months ago curtailed his involvement in the team ever since.

The Israel international [started the Hoops’ first four matches in both the Premiership and the Champions League qualifiers](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdaten/spieler/129788) but, since being [forced off with that injury at Ibrox](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4673227/celtic-nir-bitton-israel-injury-rangers/), he only [returned to action as a substitute](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdaten/spieler/129788) in last week’s win over Ross County, when he [featured for 17 minutes](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdaten/spieler/129788).

He has had more than his fair share of injury problems in his time in Glasgow, having been ruled out with a knee injury for nearly a year (as per [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4361317/nir-bitton-injury-ended-celtic-career/)) prior to his recent thigh problem.

Although he has [played mainly as a defensive midfielder](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/129788) during his career, Bitton has [spent most of this season at centre-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdaten/spieler/129788), helping Celtic to [keep three clean sheets when deployed in that role](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nir-bitton/leistungsdaten/spieler/129788).

The readiness with which he adapted to that role has been a huge help to Lennon, who has seen several defenders spend time on the treatment table this season.

Jozo Simunovic is likely to be out until the New Year, with [The Telegraph](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/09/27/celtic-suffer-injury-setback-jozo-simunovic-four-months/) reporting that he has needed rehabilitation work after the surgical clear-out of a knee injury, while Kristoffer Ajer [incurred a groin problem against AIK](https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/17877852.kris-ajer-doubtful-celtics-opening-europa-league-clash-rennes/) in Europa League qualifying and [missed the subsequent win over Rangers](https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-s-kristoffer-ajer-a-major-doubt-for-rangers-clash-but-odsonne-edouard-should-be-fit-1-4994096).

Also, Hatem Abd Elhamed had to be [substituted with a dead leg against St Johnstone](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4569911/celtic-hatem-abd-elhamed-fitness-cluj/) and was [ruled out of the following week’s win at Motherwell with a minor muscle problem](https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/celtic-make-no-mistake-at-motherwell-1.3982901).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Bitton’s willingness to extend his stay at Celtic should come as music to Lennon’s ears, given the readiness with which he adapted to playing at centre-back and the spate of defensive injuries that the Hoops have incurred over the last while.

Even if the 27-year-old needs to win back his place in the team for now, his versatility and dependability makes him a huge asset to this Celtic squad.

\[freshpress-poll id=”253040″\]

***Celtic fans, would you like to see Bitton staying at the club beyond this season? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below!***