Celtic boss Ronny Deila wary of Mark McGhee's Motherwell impact
Celtic boss Ronny Deila is bracing himself for a re-energised Motherwell following the appointment of the Steelmen's new manager, Mark McGhee.
The Scotland assistant boss returned to the Fir Park club on Tuesday and set about preparing for the visit of the Hoops on Saturday lunchtime.
Deila is aware of the potential for an immediate and positive impact at a club who sit ninth in the Ladbrokes Premiership table and who have won only three of 10 Ladbrokes Premiership games this season.
"They will always be up for playing Celtic but they will have even more energy now," said the Norwegian, who is hoping skipper Scott Brown recovers from an ankle knock picked up in training on Thursday.
"When a new manager comes in people get excited and it is not easy for us to understand totally what they will be doing.
"There will be some differences but again, we have to concentrate on getting a very good performance ourselves and, if we do, then we know we are capable of beating Motherwell.
"We want improvement, individually and as a team. We know we have skills to win trophies and that's what we want to do.
"But there is a long way to go and there is so much hard work going into this period and through the whole year.
"We need to develop ourselves and if we do that well we have a good chance to have a good season."
Deila is confident that striker Leigh Griffiths and winger James Forrest will shrug off knocks for the trip to Lanarkshire but defender Jozo Simunovic is still struggling with a twisted ankle and utility player Charlie Mulgrew also remains out with a thigh injury.
Mark McGhee knows he has to prove himself to Motherwell fans all over again - but sees no reason why that cannot start against Celtic.
Many Motherwell supporters have welcomed back a manager who led them to third spot in 2008, but others have criticised his appointment, pointing to the fact he left for Aberdeen after two years, having previously had discussions over the Scotland, Hearts and Celtic jobs.
McGhee said: "You go to any club, you've got to prove yourself. I don't think it's any different here. What I would hope is, the fact I've been here before and been relatively successful, it means it would give me a chance to prove myself.
"I know from day one you have to start proving yourself and I don't have any problems with that.
"I remember when I went to Brighton there was a section of supporters through the internet saying, 'Why are they taking Mark McGhee?' I had just had a successful time at Millwall.
"Then I was there for three and a half years and when I left the press guy told me the exact same names were glad to see me go. But they had been silent for three and a half years.
"So I don't think you can always trust these voices. So I'm not going to concern myself with that. I'm going to go out there and try to prove to those people who are supporting Motherwell that I am the right man.
"Because of my relationship with the club and my affection for the club, I think I am entitled to come back and I am quite looking forward to being back."
McGhee is the first manager to return to Motherwell but numerous players have done so, including Stephen Pearson. The midfielder had been criticised for posing in a Celtic top before a move to Parkhead in 2004, but has proved a popular signing since his return in January.
"When you do come back, you are compared to your first spell," the 33-year-old said. "But I'm sure the manager will just want to win as many games as possible. That's the only way the fans will get behind him and get on his side. It's up to us as players to make sure that happens.
"I'm sure the fans will get behind him. They are a good bunch of fans and they just want to see their team doing well, whoever is in charge.
"Once you get on the pitch, you are giving your all for Motherwell and that's all that matters. They want to see you doing your best and once they see you doing that, they will back you all the way."
Source: PAR
