
Ex-Celtic star who's seventh on club's most-decorated list says beating relegation would be ‘greatest achievement'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A FORMER Celtic star who won 18 trophies at Parkhead could complete his "greatest achievement" this weekend.
Nir Bitton may be seventh on the list of the club's most decorated players but his dream has been to keep Ashdod in Israel's top division since returning to his boyhood club in January.
3
Nir Bitton is seventh on Celtic's most-decorated players list
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
3
The Israeli left Parkhead in 2022 after nine years and 18 trophies
Credit: Kenny Ramsay
3
The 33-year-old is now battling relegation with his boyhood team
Credit: Kenneth Ramsay
On Saturday, the 33-year-old will lead them in a season-defining game against relegation rivals Maccabi Petah Tikva.
Ashdod stood in second bottom place when Bitton returned to the club 12 years after leaving for Celtic.
The former Hoops midfielder, who has been holding the fort in central defence this season, has shored things up at the back with Ashdod extending their unbeaten league run to seven games with a 0-0 draw at Bnei Sakhnin last weekend.
Victory for the Port City team would see Ashdod move three points clear of Petah Tikvah ahead of the final round of fixtures with their 10-goal difference advantage almost certain to keep them up.
And that accomplishment would top winning eight Premiership titles, four Scottish Cups and six League Cups during his illustrious spell in Glasgow.
Bitton said on the day he rejoined: "If we manage to stay in the league with Ashdod, it will be the greatest achievement of my career."
He came through the ranks at Yud-Alef Stadium before moving to the Hoops in 2013 and regrets that he wasn't able to lift silverware with his hometown club.
But avoiding relegation, something Bitton has never personally experienced anywhere during his professional career, will spark joyous scenes in the city where his parents still live and he calls home.
Meanwhile, Celts have announced a bumper new kit deal with Adidas.
The existing deal, which was signed in 2021, was set to run out in the summer.
Next season will be Brendan Rodgers' LAST as Celtic manager says Robert Grieve
But the happy parties have now agreed a continuation of the sponsorship for beyond the next five years.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
World Cup winner's son, 21, following his dad's footsteps as he's fast-tracked into England squad after just 10 games
Another member of the family also making their name in the sport RUGBY ROYALTY World Cup winner's son, 21, following his dad's footsteps as he's fast-tracked into England squad after just 10 games Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RUGBY WORLD CUP winner's son is following in his dad's footsteps with an England call-up. Kyran Bracken, 53, played 51 times for the Red Rose between 1993 and 2003. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Kyran Bracken, right, helped England win the 2003 World Cup Credit: PA 5 The Dublin-born back made four of his 51 England caps at the tournament Credit: Getty 5 His son Charlie Bracken has been named in the England training squad Credit: Getty His final cap was the 2003 World Cup semi-final against France. That was his fourth appearance in Australia during the six-week - which also included featuring against Wales in the quarters. The scrum-half was an unused substitute in the final against Australia - famously won by Jonny Wilkinson's last-gasp drop goal. But he did pick up a winner's medal for his contributions. READ MORE ON RUGBY GLAMMY CIPRIANI Danny Cipriani cuddles glam TV star ex four months after they split And now his son is hoping to have the same impact for his country. Charlie Bracken is one of 16 uncapped players named in England's latest training squad. The 21-year-old - who like his father plays at scrum-half - will hope to get his chance to shine in the summer tour of Argentina and the USA. England also face a France XV at Twickenham on June 21. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Bracken Jr has played at junior level for England, including at Under-20s, but has been given a fast-track route into the senior camp. The Saracens rising star - whose brother Jack is an up-and-coming winger - has just ten Premiership appearances under his belt. Shocking moment enormous brawl breaks out in rubgy league after 'horrendous hit' But Steve Borthwick is impressed and feels as though he has seen enough to give the youngster a shot amongst the senior internationals. The squad for the upcoming tours will be confirmed on June 23. But the training camp met today and will train together until Friday. However, no Bath or Leicester Tigers players were included due to their Premiership final on June 14. And it also excluded the England men named in the British and Irish Lions squad for the tour of Australia. 5 Bracken is making a name for himself at Saracens Credit: Getty

The National
38 minutes ago
- The National
Callum Osmand to Celtic transfer imminent as terms 'agreed'
The young Fulham striker is on the brink of becoming the Parkhead side's second summer signing after Kieran Tierney's return was officially confirmed this afternoon. Sky Sports claims that Osmand has completed a medical with the Scottish Premiership champions and agreed terms to join the club. Read more: Celtic will owe Fulham training compensation once the deal goes through. Osmand joined the West London outfit at just 13 years of age and signed his first professional contract with the club in the summer of 2023. Now 19, he was a regular for their under-21 side in the Premier League 2 last season, scoring 10 goals and assisting four across 17 appearances. In 73 total games for Fulham's under-18s and under-21s, he has netted 43 times. Osmand has also played four times for Wales' under-17s, scoring once. "He is much more mobile [than a traditional centre forward]," said Marco Silva of the forward last year [ "He needs more senior football in his legs to see how he can adapt, perform. He's got the profile that I like. When he has a chance, he can punish the opposition. "I can see the talent, in a position that is very difficult to play in the Premier League. Probably if you play another striker by his side … you will take the best from him. Let's hope we can help him to be ready for the Premier League."


South Wales Guardian
39 minutes ago
- South Wales Guardian
Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final
The British and Irish Lions number 10 kicked 14 points to help Bath beat rivals Bristol and secure a return to the Gallagher Premiership final. Russell, who has recovered from cramp which forced him off during the closing stages at The Recreation Ground, hopes to feel plenty of positive vibes from the Twickenham stands on Saturday – in stark to his previous visits when in Scotland blue. 'From what I have heard, a lot of Bath fans bought tickets a while back to make sure they had them, as they did last year,' Russell said. 'A lot of them will be getting the train over to Twickenham at the weekend and it is always good playing in front of a sold-out stadium. 'Having your home fans there, hopefully the majority of tickets are Bath fans, that will be special.' Scotland vice-captain Russell added: 'I know the other side of playing at Twickenham – usually when I am there, it is 70-odd thousand fans against me. 'But it is always special playing in that stadium and hopefully our fans can make as much noise as possible.' Finn Russell's built for knockout rugby 💪 14 points scored (the top tally in the Play-Offs) 🫰100% off the tee 🎯2 try assists 🏉#GallagherPremFinal #PremRugbyxeToro @BathRugby — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 9, 2025 Russell, 32, remains determined to see Bath put last season's defeat by Northampton behind them and land a first title since 1996. 'I think that motivation has been there for everyone,' said Russell, who has been called up for his third successive Lions tour this summer. 'After getting that final and losing it last year, it is always quite tough to come back in that next year. 'But I think everyone came back in pre-season in good shape and kind of ripped in straight away. An update to your Scotland squad ahead of the Guinness Men's Six Nations. Rory Darge and Finn Russell will co-captain Scotland following an injury to Sione Tuipulotu. Scott Cummings will also likely miss the tournament through injury. More ➡️ — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) January 20, 2025 'At the start of the year, the goal was to win the Premiership. We have gotten ourselves in a good spot just now to hopefully go and do that. 'We have almost got back to where we wanted to be and hopefully can go one step further this year.' Bath finished 11 points clear of Leicester at the top of the Premiership table, having won 14 games. Johann van Graan's side have already lifted the Premiership Rugby Cup and European Challenge Cup this season as they look to close out the campaign with yet more silverware. 'The playing group have been fantastic and it is great that everybody wants to play in the final, but ultimately, we can only select 23 players,' said Bath head of rugby van Graan. 'In our training again today, it doesn't matter what team you were in, everybody was in (to the session). 'Yes, some individuals will be disappointed, but that's natural. 'We see that as a positive, because everybody wants to play for this team and pulls in the same direction because they want to achieve something together.'