CELTIC INVINCIBLE SET TO MOVE

NIR BITTON could follow team-mate Hatem Abd Elhamed in a return to Israel.

The seven-time league title winner is a target for Maccabi Tel Aviv who are lining up a move in summer.

Fellow-international Elhamed is ready to rejoin Hapoel Be’er Sheva before the Israel deadline on Thursday, as CQNreported. The defender who cost £1.2million in the summer of 2019, will be allowed to leave on compassionate grounds in a cut-price £700,000.

Twenty-nine-year-old Bitton, who was signed by Neil Lennon in his first stint as Hoops boss in the summer of 2013 and has won 16 trophies in his time at the club, is under contract until June 2023.

However, the versatile defender/midfielder, who has made over 200 appearances for the Hoops, could say his farewell at the end of this season, according to a report in the Scottish Sun.

Bitton is unlikely to feature against St Mirren in Paisley tomorrow night. He limped off against Jim Goodwin’s side at half-time during the 2-1 loss at Parkhead at the end of last month. He sat out the wins over Kilmarnock and Motherwell with Stephen Welsh taking his place in central defence alongside Kristoffer Ajer.

Boss Lennon will almost certainly go with the same double-act on the side’s revenge mission after the Saints celebrated their first league win in the east end of Glasgow in 31 years.

It may now be time for Bitton, a Celtic Invincible in season 2016/17, to return to his homeland – if the price is right.