Ronny Deila lashes out at Celtic's critics
Manager Ronny Deila hit back at his critics in a remarkable press conference rant at Celtic's Lennoxtown training ground.
The Hoops boss came under pressure after losing 3-1 to Molde in their Europa League game which left the Scottish champions at the bottom of Group A after three matches.
Despite returning from Norway to beat Dundee United 5-0 in the Ladbrokes Premiership and move four points clear of Saturday's opponents Aberdeen - and then following up with a 2-1 win at Hearts to clinch a League Cup semi-final place - there is a widespread and ongoing debate about Deila's future at the Parkhead club.
Former Scotland and Aberdeen defender Alex McLeish, who won the treble as Rangers boss in 2003, was quoted as saying, "even if you win domestically just now it might not be enough," while former Celtic goalkeeper Pat Bonner said: "I don't think that Celtic are getting better in Europe."
Asked about ex-players who have commented on what he had to achieve this season, the Norwegian said: "I have to think about the people inside this club.
"Celtic have been unbelievably successful for many years and everyone around Celtic wants to hurt us and find negative things and that is something this club has to cope with all the time.
"What is important is that this club sticks together. (We have won) four league titles in a row and we won the League Cup last year.
"The club has been in Europe for many, many years, they are the pride of Scotland in Europe and so many positive things are happening around here.
"We are in the (League Cup) semi-final, we're going to play against Ajax, Fenerbahce and Molde in the Europa League.
"Where are the other Scottish teams? I don't know. I haven't seen them in Europe. The national team is not in Europe either - they aren't going to the Euros.
"Europe is tough but we have done it before and we're going to get back there, to the Champions League hopefully."
Scott Brown is out of the clash with Aberdeen at Parkhead on Saturday. The Hoops skipper is going to London for more opinions on a scan that failed to clear up the extent of meniscus damage in his knee which caused him to miss the League Cup quarter-final win over Hearts at Tynecastle.
Winger Gary Mackay-Steven is doubtful with a tight groin while Charlie Mulgrew (thigh) is still out.
Meanwhile, Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes accepts that people are ready to write off their title challenge - but he is confident they can resume their winning run against the champions.
Aberdeen have followed eight consecutive league wins by taking just one point from their last four matches.
That has allowed Celtic to go four points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership and some observers have already declared the title race over.
Forward Cammy Smith is a major doubt after aggravating a groin problem and is not expected to make the trip to Glasgow but McInnes declared no other injury concerns.
"I recognise that if we lose the game then that is the case, people would be assuming that," McInnes said on RedTV ahead of Saturday's Parkhead clash.
"At the same time, if we win the game then people will say we have a title race again. One game doesn't determine that.
"We have had some disappointing results and it's something we are concentrating on that side of it, getting ourselves going again. You can see how quickly things can turn.
"We have shown over the last couple of years that we are more than capable of going on long runs, winning runs and undefeated runs. And we're still capable of that.
"That's what we need to try to do and just look for improvement. I'm confident we can improve on last year, an SPL points record for teams outwith the Old Firm, and time will tell."
Source: PAR
