CROCKED Celtic star Nir Bitton has told Maccabi Haifa they would be wasting their time if they launched a bid to try and bring him back to Israel.

The midfielder underwent knee surgery in February and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

He's under contract for another two years at Parkhead, but Maccabi Haifa are desperate to launch a complete rebuilding of their team after a poor season which saw them plunge to ninth place in the Israeli League.

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Dutch manager Fred Rutten has promised to bring in some big name players and his No.1 target was believed to be 26-year-old Bitton.

However, Bitton has immediately nipped any move in the bud by telling Maccabi he has no intention of returning to his homeland.

Bitton said: "I am not going back to Israel, it's not on my agenda.

"I am currently injured and I am under contract with Celtic until 2020. I am not interested in a transfer."

Bitton has already been at Parkhead for five years since he signed from FC Ashdod and has won seven major trophies during his time in Glasgow.