Exclusive: Alan Hutton claims 'Very good' Celtic giant set for exit after recent developments
Alan Hutton has tipped Celtic midfielder Nir Bitton to leave Parkhead in 2020 with the Israeli international yet to pen a new contract with the Hoops.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, the former Scotland international points to the fact that the likes of James Forrest, Scott Bain and Callum McGregor have all committed to new long-term deals in recent weeks when Bitton is heading into the final months of his contract.
Hutton says that he thinks the 6ft 5in giant [Transfermarkt] looks destined to leave and that if that were not the case then the Bhoys would have done something about his contract status.
Hutton told Football Insider: "He's a very good player, sometimes you could say maybe underused, his contract's running down.
"He's one that I probably think would let it run down and get the move down south, that seems the way he's going to go with it. It happens at all the clubs, you're not playing as much as you like, you need a fresh challenge, go somewhere different.
"I think if he was an integral part of the plans going forward, the contract wouldn't have ran down this much. Maybe that's a way they're looking at it at the moment."
Bitton has been used as both a midfielder and a centre-back during Neil Lennon's time in charge, the duo reuniting after the manager's first spell at Parkhead.
The 28-year-old has 15 appearances under his belt this season although only four of those have come among the starting XI in the Premiership.