DON’T LET BITING STORM PUT YOU OFF CIFTCI – HARTSON TELLS CELTIC

JOHN HARTSON insists Celtic should not be put off trying to sign Dundee United striker Nadir Ciftci if he is found guilty of biting an opponent.

It is alleged the Turk sank his teeth into Dundee midfielder Jim McAlister’s knee as the two players tangled on the pitch at the weekend.

The SFA have launched an investigation into the incident and there is little doubt Ciftci will face a lengthy suspension if he is found guilty.

Hoops great Hartson reckons this should not dampen the determination of Ronny Deila to make a move for Ciftci – much in the same way that Barcelona completed a deal for Luis Suarez from Liverpool despite his misbehaviour at the World Cup Finals in Brazil after biting an Italian opponent.

Hartson said: “He’s a player I like. He’s strong, he’s big, but there is no place for that in football.

“I have not seen it, but if he is guilty and it’s plain to see there is no room for it. You can accept an elbow and people throwing their arms out, but there is no place for biting.

“I don’t know if it will put people off. I’ve always thought people should be given another chance. Barcelona weren’t put off Suarez, were they? He will have to face his punishment and take it on the chin. If he learns from it and moves on, then why not?

“He is a very good player. He has physical presence and someone like myself who throws his weight around.

“He could be like Chris Sutton – someone that Anthony Stokes and Leigh Griffiths could play off. So I don’t think it will put Celtic off.

“If it puts him out of a few matches and they won’t have him until four or five games into the season they might think about it then.

“But if they get him on a three or four-year contract then that time could be made up.”