NIR BITTON has told of his Covid-19 hell and revealed: I couldn’t even stand up.
The Celtic star picked up the deadly coronavirus while away on international duty with Israel.
Nir Bitton has opened up on his recent Covid-19 hellCredit: PA:Press Association
Bitton admits he underestimated the disease and called for urgent talks to limit who can be involved in next month’s international fixtures.
He said: “I went through some hard days with this virus. It wasn’t easy at all. Before I got the disease I underestimated it, but it was not pleasant.
“I had headaches, my muscles ached and I could not stand up. I had to sit.
“You do not know what you are heading towards. Everyone knows how the disease starts, but not how it ends.
“If it affected me, a young and athletic guy, I do not know how it affects older people.
“We see deaths and I need to say to people, watch out. Stay at home and look after your relatives. This is not an easy disease.
“I am still without taste and smell, but I hope it will come back soon and that the hardships are behind me.”
Bitton is now allowed out of isolation from his Glasgow home but faces a host of tests before he can make a Celtic return.
The experienced Hoops defender insists his club’s Covid-19 regime is watertight, with players all following orders.
But Bitton reckons it’s no coincidence that there was a flurry of positive tests during the international break.
Israel team-mate Hatem Elhamed and Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard caught the bug and missed Saturday’s derby defeat to Rangers.
Bitton was forced to miss the Old Firm Derby last weekendCredit: PA:Press Association
Ryan Christie was also forced to isolate for 14 days after Scotland team-mate Stuart Armstrong tested positive.
Bitton insists any player from a club with a recent outbreak shouldn’t be allowed to play international football.
He said: “At Celtic we have been in a regime for four months since I returned from Israel.
“No families, no restaurants, no friends and almost no leisure life. We take care of ourselves.
“Then you go to the national team and suddenly there is a sick player.
“You find out after a few days and you know there will probably be more patients.
“There is no solution. The only solution is to cancel the squad meetings and it will not happen.
“If a team suddenly has some positives, sometimes you should not take a risk.
“You have to keep players in an environment that is comfortable and sterile.
“If that means not inviting players from a team that has had an outbreak, then that’s what it should be.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
