Bitton says ‘life moves on’ on Football Focus

Despite the disappointment of the early exit from the Champions League group stages, Nir Bitton says ‘life moves on’.

Speaking on BBC’s Football Focus about the disappointment, the midfielder said:

We’re very disappointed but life moves on. It’s been a very disappointing week. I think everyone at the club wanted to go through [to the group stage] and it was our main thing we wanted to reach this year.

The anguish of losing to Malmo in such a lifeless manner didn’t please the Celtic fans at all. Celtic lost two goals from two corner kicks and even called into question Celtic’s decision to use zonal marking, which has received waves over criticism over the years.

But Bitton knows Celtic are a big club who deserve to be in Europe’s premier competition.

When you play for a club like Celtic you want to take part in all the competitions you can.

The most important thing for us was the Champions League in the beginning; we didn’t make it and we have the Europa League now.

The Israeli hopes Celtic can make progress in the competition as the quality is not of the same standard as the Champions League.

We want to do us much as we can to have success in Europe. When we play in the Scottish league we have tough games; it’s not the same level as we meet in the Champions League or Europa League.

Having signed for Celtic two years ago this weekend, the Israeli has fitted into Deila’s system perfectly in the defensive midfield role. Bitton cost Celtic just £700,000 from Israeli Premier League club FC Ashdod. He got his chance after utility man Charlie Mulgrew got injured and the 23-year-old has linked up very well in midfield, commanding the role and controlling the game.

Manager Ronny Deila has the full support of the Hoops midfielder who believes this is a learning curve for Deila’s young Celtic team.

The fans love him so much and, when the fans love the coach, it means a lot. I think everyone around the club see what the gaffer wants to reach here.

 

I think we’re a different team from last year. Of course, we didn’t qualify for the Champions League but sometimes these kind of things make you a better player and better team.

 

We need to learn from this; the gaffer has a big influence on me and a big influence on the squad. We just want to make him proud.

 

Be sure to catch the full interview on BBC One tomorrow (Saturday 29th August) at 11:30am.