'Shocking' - Celtic fans rage after 25-year-old named to start v Hibernian

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Published on:

21 Oct 2017, 6:00 am

By Danny Wright

Celtic fans have been left raging on Twitter after Brendan Rodgers decided to start Nir Bitton against Hibernian in the Scottish League Cup semi-final on Saturday.

The Hoops announced the team news on their official Twitter account prior to kick-off at Hampden Park this weekend.

📋 Here's how #CelticFC will line up for the #BetfredCup Semi-Final against @HibsOfficial. pic.twitter.com/yllsvBNXZ4
— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) October 21, 2017

Rodgers has really struggled to name a fully fit defence this season with all three of his first-team centre-backs all having spells on the sidelines.

Jozo Simunovic and Erik Sviatchenko are both out of the clash against Hibs due to respective injury woes, meaning that Bitton, 25, has had to be drafted into the back four again - and that hasn't filled Bhoys fans on Twitter with much confidence.

Here is a selection of their tweets:

Shocking tbf, bitton is not a CB and if I was Lennon I'd be looking to exploit that
— Tiocfaidh ar laldo (@RL_1967) October 21, 2017

What's going on with bitton is rather play 3 at the back
— Tiocfaidh ar laldo (@RL_1967) October 21, 2017

Shocking tbf, bitton is not a CB and if I was Lennon I'd be looking to exploit that
— Tiocfaidh ar laldo (@RL_1967) October 21, 2017

Bitton? pic.twitter.com/69P6RB3LVr
— Llewyn-🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@Llewyn_Davis61) October 21, 2017

Bitton has made 12 appearances across all competitions this season with most of them being in the heart of defence despite traditionally a midfielder.

The Israeli is constantly buffeted by the Hoops fans for his performances in the green and white, but Rodgers has perhaps been left with little alternatives this weekend.

Cristian Gamboa has been axed from the side after a horror show against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, meaning Mikael Lustig, who started at centre-back in the Champions League, has been put into his natural right-back slot.

In other Celtic news, Chris Sutton has issued a stern warning to the Hoops about their upcoming fixtures.

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Nir Bitton