Nir Bitton fires title warning after shock defeat

Nir Bitton has warned Celtic they can not expect just to turn up to win the league after a weekend where Aberdeen cut the deficit at the top to just one point.

Celtic's Nir Bitton, right, celebrates with Mikael Lustig after opening the scoring against Motherwell. Picture: SNS

Although Celtic have a game in hand over their Pittodrie rivals, it is Aberdeen who appear to have the momentum at the moment. Derek McInnes’ side won for the fifth time in six league games on Saturday, overcoming Kilmarnock 4-0. Celtic, meanwhile, are stuttering.

Their weekend loss to Motherwell means they have not won at home since Halloween. They now travel to face third- placed Hearts on Sunday with manager Ronny Deila under further pressure.

Bitton, who scored the opening goal in Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Mark McGhee’s side, advised his teammates to consider the plight of Chelsea, the reigning league champions in England.

“I can give you Chelsea as an example,” said Bitton. “They have spent so much money and nothing is guaranteed. They have had the best manager in the world, the best players in the world and they are not doing well.

“No-one can make promises about winning the league.

“If we are going to keep playing like that, it will be difficult for us.”