Ange Postecoglou has defender Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton after his second-half sending off against Dundee United on Saturday evening.
The Israeli midfielder has been central to the Hoops midfield in recent weeks, whilst also captaining the side but was caught short yesterday when he brought down United man Declan Glass, which also led referee Ewan Anderson to brandish his second yellow card for Bitton of the game.
Thankfully, due to a late Liel Abada goal, the Celtic support will likely have forgotten about the second-half incident, which saw the 28-year old given his marching orders.
Postecoglou wasn’t one who was looking to criticise Bitton, instead defending his stand-in captain after his actions, insisting that he is always 100% committed to the cause.
“It’s too easy to criticise Nir for his actions from where we’re sitting in comfortable chairs,” he said, as quoted by the Daily Record.
“Out there on the pitch, it’s a bit different. Niro has been outstanding for us, and he has given everything.
“He is a very committed guy, and I don’t see anything out there that suggests he lacked discipline.
“It’s part of football, and he will take his punishment.”
Although the sending off may not have had a direct impact on the end result, it now also means that Bitton will miss the up-and-coming Glasgow derby fixture this Wednesday.
This does also mean that Postecoglou is once again short in options in the midfield area. But, what is clear about Ange is he will always defend his players in the firing line.
I am sure the 56-year old would have vented some frustration at Bitton for his actions in the second half. However, there was a potential shout that left-back Greg Taylor was actually fouled in the lead up to the sending off.
Oh , so Ange isn’t furious with Bitton after all ? Not like your colleague suggested yesterday? What nonsense some people write .
But should be mad at himself, FFS takes an attacker down in Celtics half when he’s well away (but Toneeeeeeeeyyyyyy was going nowhere) continues and has a couple of on the ball niggles at more Dun U players. Then in the last six minutes to play, tangles up with another player when they’re both in the big D. Second booking more than justified (he was captain, just tell other players take one for the team) hopefully he will learn from this. As he won’t even be on the bench for the next few games. Ohh and appologising to the ref after he has the card out, never really works .