There was certainly some confusion, and even a little criticism, directed towards the manager when it came to the recent omission from the playing squad of Nir Bitton in last weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final.

Bitton was indeed a loss keenly felt, as you’d imagine the Israeli midfielder would likely have been just the man to come into Celtic’s midfield after Greg Taylor had given Celtic the lead at Hampden to inject some physicality and composure into a fraught midfield and one which appeared to running on fumes.

🍀 S’happenin’, Bitton@kierantierney1 pic.twitter.com/vzbor6iwyr

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 17, 2022

Yet with no Bitton named on the subs bench at Hampden and again at Dingwall yesterday Ange Postecoglou speaking BBC Sportsound prior to Celtic’s superb 2-0 win over Ross County has shed some light at least on the player’s absence from proceedings of late, if not quite explaining the extent of Bitton’s problem.

“He’s got a bit of an issue. A slight issue.”

Bitton has had a new lease of life under Ange Postecoglou this season, as the player has been moved from a position of central defensive cover to a more natural position as a holding midfielder. His introduction in key games both as a starter, but predominately as a substitute, has seen the only real signs of pragmatism Postecoglou will stretch to in games where his footballing philosophy perhaps needs a touch of tweaking, depending on the opponent.

19th December 2021; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish League Cup final, Hibernian versus Celtic: Nir Bitton of Celtic comes on for the injured David Turnbull of Celtic

Whatever Bitton’s ‘issue’ is, we at least know now the player hasn’t been available for selection rather than being omitted from the matchday squad.

It remains to be seen if Bitton will be available for selection for this weekend’s Glasgow Derby against Old Firm FC, but it would be a comforting sight to all if the much-maligned Israeli makes the cut, and that just shows you how important Nir Bitton has become for Celtic this season – the term Squad Gold comes to mind.

Niall J