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
Daily Record
11 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Former Motherwell boss Ian Baraclough suffers back and neck injuries in swimming accident on holiday
Ian Baraclough is recovering in hospital in Mauritius after an accident on a family holiday Former Motherwell manager and current Partick Thistle sporting director Ian Baraclough is recovering in hospital after suffering major back and neck injuries in a swimming accident. Baraclough, who was in charge of the Steelmen between 2014-15 when they beat Rangers in the Premiership play-off final, was on a family holiday in Mauritius when he suffered serious injuries while swimming and "required immediate surgery to ensure that the injuries were not life-changing." A statement released by Partick Thistle today revealed the 54-year-old ex-Northern Ireland boss will be unable to return to Scotland for several weeks as he recovers in hospital. And Baraclough praised the surgeons at Wellkin Hospital, Mauritius for their 'exceptional care' during a harrowing experience for him and his family. The club statement read: "Partick Thistle wish to advise that Sporting Director Ian Baraclough is currently recovering in hospital after suffering extensive back and neck injuries in an accident just over a week ago. "Ian was injured whilst swimming and required immediate surgery to ensure that the injuries were not life-changing, and it is expected it will be several weeks before he can return to the country and a further period of recovery will be needed before he is able to return to The Wyre Stadium at Firhill. "The club have been in constant contact with Ian's family since the accident and have now also been able to thankfully speak to Ian. Ian said: 'On behalf of myself, my wife, my children and my wider family I would like to thank the surgeons and staff at the Wellkin Hospital, Mauritius for their exceptional care.' 'I would also like to thank Club Chairman Richard Beastall and all of the team at Partick Thistle for their support and well wishes. In my short space of time I have already felt the close bond and drive from staff, players, fans and volunteers that make Thistle what it is.' 'I'm looking forward to returning as quickly as possible and get back to that unique and special feeling that really marks Thistle out as a football club with a passion to be different and an ambition to succeed.' 'It is one that I am very proud to be a part of.' Club chairman Richard Beastall said: 'It was a harrowing time for Ian and his family immediately after the accident however things are beginning to settle now. He suffered broken bones in both his neck and back but thankfully the speed in which he was operated on, and the care that was taken pre-operation, has helped the situation significantly.' 'Ian has only been at the club for a short time however he has impressed everyone with his professionalism and drive. Everyone at The Wyre Stadium at Firhill wishes Ian a quick and full recovery.' 'We have contingency measures in place to cope with his absence. These include extra duties being carried out by our new Head of Recruitment, Lee Turnbull, who has now officially started, and others at the club. I thank everyone for rallying together.'
South Wales Argus
12 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
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. Finn Russell was part of the Scotland side edged out 16-15 by England in their Guinness Six Nations match at the Allianz Stadium in February (Adam Davy/PA) '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. Johann van Graan's side have already tasted domestic and European success this season (Andrew Matthews/PA) '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.'
Powys County Times
13 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Finn Russell hoping for strong showing from Bath fans at Premiership final
Scotland fly-half Finn Russell is looking forward to running out at the Allianz Stadium to the roar of Bath's sell-out support rather than with the jeers of England fans ringing in his ears. 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.'
