NIR BITTON has been axed from the starting line-up for Ange Postecoglou’s Premiership League debut against Dundee at Parkhead this afternoon.
The Israeli international, who has been far from convincing this season, drops onto the substitutes’ bench with Stephen Welsh coming in to partner Swedish new Bhoy Carl Starfelt in the middle of the rearguard.
Surprisingly, there is also a place for Tom Rogic, Postecoglou’s former Australian international midfielder, who has been a bit-part player in recent seasons.
James Forrest, who scored the third goal in the 4-2 Europa League qualifier against Jablonec on Thursday, is also on stand-by duty.
Former England keeper Joe Hart, who made his debut in the Cezch Republic, remains in place for his league baptism with Scott Bain as back-up. Vaslis Barkas, last summer’s £4.5million arrival from AEK Athens, is sidelined after kicking off the campaign as the No.1.
In attack Odsonne Edouard, linked with a move to England before the transfer deadline at the end of the month, is benched with £4.6million Japanese striker Kyogo Furuhashi leading the line.
TEAM: Hart; Ralston, Welsh, Starfelt, Taylor; Christie, Turnbull, Rogic, McGregor; Abada, Furuhashi. Subs Bain, Bitton, Ajeti, Soro, Edouard, Forrest and Montgomery
* DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v Dundee this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
