Deila positive ahead of Malmo clash
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Celtic manager Ronny Deila says he isn't concerned by his side's slack finish to their 4-2 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle ahead of the first leg of their crucial UEFA Champions League play-off against Malmo on Wednesday. The Hoops had raced into a four goal lead thanks to first half headers from Mikel Lustig and Leigh Griffiths before a second half brace from Stuart Armstrong.
However, some sloppy possession allowed substitute Ryan Christie to haul one back for Inverness Caledonian Thistle while a misplaced pass allowed fellow sub Dani Lopez to halve the deficit. Deila had blasted his players for their lack of discipline in their midweek 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock. But as his side prepare to welcome Swedish champions Malmo to Celtic Park as they battle it out for a place in the group stages of the Champions League, the Hoops manager focussed on the positives from the win against Inverness.
"These kinds of errors are always happening in football games but it was in the wrong areas and we got punished very hard," Delia said. "It is a warning, of course, but the players know that. What we have to take with us now is the first 70 minutes which I thought was a very good team performance from us. We defended very well, had a high tempo and quick reactions and I was very happy to see that.
"I think the whole team was very good in the first half especially. They controlled the game and outplayed them and created chances. We should have had more goals before the break, but that's a positive thing. The response from the game against Kilmarnock was very good."
"It is a high level but we wouldn't have brought him here if we didn't think he could reach it."
Ronny Deila, Celtic manager on new signing Scott Allan.
One player who might feature in the squad for the match against Malmo is Scott Allan. The 23-year-old completed his move to Celtic on Friday night after the Hoops beat rivals Rangers, who had three offers rejected by Hibernian, to the midfielder's signature. Delia was delighted to add Allan to his squad but said the former Dundee United and West Bromwich Albion player would have to be patient as he attempts to break into the first team.
"I don't think he is ready to go straight in," Deila said. "Almost no one has done that and that's something he has to show in training. He is a young, talented player who has to get used to what we do and also get up to our tempo. It is a high level but we wouldn't have brought him here if we didn't think he could reach it. He has come from the Championship and there will be a transition as he understands our style of play and gets used to the tempo.
"He's not going to come in here and be king from the first minute. No one here is expecting that. We've been looking at him for a while. He's a great talent. He has the ability to make the final pass and be creative in the last third of the pitch and that's what we need more of in the team."