NIR Bitton last night insisted he had learned enough about playing at centre half to start for Celtic in their Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich next week.

Central midfielder Bitton has been moved in to the middle of the Scottish champions' defence to cover for injured team mates this season.

But Brendan Rodgers moved Mikael Lustig to the heart of his rearguard in the Group B match against Munich in Germany last week and left Bitton on the bench.

The Israeli, though, is hopeful he will get the nod to start in the rematch with Jupp Heynckes's star-studded side at Parkhead on Tuesday night.

That is even though the Bavarian giants can field Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller in attack.

"For me, it doesn’t matter who you play," said Bitton. "Every game is different, every game is difficult. Sometimes when you play Scottish league it is more direct, more elbows and stuff.

"Sometimes Europe is more about positioning, it is more about reading the game, it is more about being smart.

“I don’t think it's more difficult to play in Europe. As a professional, you need to adapt yourself. We will see what happens.

"If the gaffer trusts me to play centre back I will do my best. I try to learn my position every day, I try to watch clips, I try to watch the best defenders in the world.

“I am expecting to play every game. But it is not about me and it is not about anyone else it is about Celtic. The XI that the gaffer chose for that Bayern game he thought were the best.

"We are a team. The bench players just want the team to be a success and we want to be part of this team because this team is very special. As long as I play the next game. I will do my best.”

He added: “It is all about positioning. To be honest, playing at centre back came from nowhere for me. I remember the game against Rosenborg away. I didn’t think about coming on at centre back.

"But the gaffer trusted me, gave me an opportunity and I am happy that I did my best. Since then I have tried to learn my positioning. In every game I speak with the guys around me.”

Bitton revealed he had also had conversations Virgil van Dijk, his former Celtic team mate who is now playing for Southampton, about playing at centre half.

“I am a £50 million player now!" he joked. "Seriously, though, Virgil is a good friend of mine. He is top class. I don’t think there are many players who can do what Virgil does. "But I think this is the reason why the gaffer plays us from the back - to take the ball, to drive forward, to find spaces, to pass the ball. I try to do my best.

“Yeah, I have told Virgil I’m coming for him. Seriously, though, it is something that I really enjoy right now.

"As long as I play I am happy. As long as I am part of this team it is the best thing for me. I try to do my best.”