Nir Bitton: “I said the Shema every time Neymar ran at me”

Nir Bitton has revealed how he said a prayer under his breath every time PSG’s Brazilian star Neymar ran towards him when the sides met in a Champions League match earlier this season.

The Celtic midfielder – and his teammates – were on the wrong end of a 7-1 hammering, when the sides met in Paris, in a Champions League group stage match back in November.

The 26-year-old told Israeli TV: “Every time Neymar ran at me I said the Jewish prayer Shema Israel!”

Describing the difference between the two sides, he added: “I said to myself we are not even in the same profession as these guys.”