von Armin_Bhoy » Fr 30. Aug 2013, 18:11
Nir Biton: Joining Celtic was an easy decision
CATCHING Celtic on television hasn’t been difficult for new Bhoy, Nir Biton, because back home in Israel, the matches are shown on a weekly basis. For that reason, as well as the success of international team-mate Beram Kayal, he knows his new club are one of the biggest in Europe.
So regardless of interest from elsewhere, the decision to sign a four-year deal with Celtic wasn’t a difficult one for Birton to make. And speaking to the media as he was unveiled at the Hoops´ Lennoxtown Training Centre, he explained why he chose a move to Scotland.
"I don’t think I needed something to convince me to come to a club the size of Celtic," he said. "It is a big club in Europe and has one of the best sets of fans in the world. This is my dream.
"I know the level of club Celtic are so I didn’t need to speak to anyone before coming here. I´m now at Celtic, one of the best clubs in Europe, and I will try to play my best for the fans and to improve myself. I hope it will be good."
The midfielder was at Celtic Park on Wednesday to witness his new club pull back a two-goal deficit and progress past Shakhter Karagandy into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League, where they will face Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax.
And as he watched the stadium burst into celebration at James Forrest´s injury-time winner, he knew he had made the right decision.
"The fans were something I have never seen before," he said. "I think at Celtic Park everything is open and we can do the impossible.
"I was in the taxi on my way to do the medical test when the draw was made – it´s something you can not imagine in the world. It´s the first time that I am going to play against these kind of players, I have waited for a long time, but I am ready for it.
"I want to be the best and my dream is to play for Celtic and be a success for them. Playing in the Champions League is a dream for every player. The draw is very tough but in football everything is open. Last year I saw the game against Barcelona in my home and it was something impossible but Celtic won."
Biton faces stiff competition for a place in the starting XI, but while he knows he will have to adapt to the Scottish game quickly, he is also ready to prove why he deserves a regular place in the side.
"I am a defensive midfielder but I can play all of the roles in midfield so wherever the coach asks me to play there will be no problem," the 21-year-old explained.
"If I am good enough to play I will play but when somebody comes to a club like Celtic he should expect to prove himself. There are good players here so I expect competition but I believe in myself.
"I hope to be the best with the club, be the best with the team, the fans and my team-mates. When you come to a club like Celtic you expect to win the championship, the cups and go as far as we can in the Champions League, so that´s what I expect from my time here."."- Nir Biton.
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