Thursday 21 April 2016 10:09, UK
Former Celtic captain Paul McStay says the club's main focus should be securing their fifth successive title and not the future of boss Ronny Deila.
Reports in Scotland, and in his homeland, suggest there will be a parting of the ways with the Norwegian this summer following Sunday's Scottish Cup defeat to Rangers.
The club's hierarchy is understood to be concerned by the lack of progress during Deila's two years in charge, with the 40-year-old also said to be left weary by constant speculation over his future.
But McStay, who played over 500 games for the Hoops in a 16-year period from 1981, says now is not the time to be concentrating on the manager's future with five crucial games of the season remaining.
Speaking at the launch of his autobiography 'The Maestro' - to be published through kickstarter.com - the 51-year-old said: "Right now he's still in a job so I would just leave it at that and allow him to go and hopefully win his second championship.
"Does he go now or at the end of the season is a decision they have got to make at the top [at Celtic]. If you come out now and do something drastic it might have some detrimental effect on the team in the last few games.
"I've never met Ronny but I've got a lot or respect for the guy. He comes across as a really good person. For me, the focus should just be that we've got a league to win, let's go do that."
And McStay, who was capped 76 times for Scotland during a career which saw him win three league titles, four Scottish Cups and a League Cup, says sympathy should be in short supply for Deila, given the opportunity afforded to him by the champions-elect two years ago.
"I don't feel sorry for Ronny from the point of view that he is managing one of the biggest clubs in the world," said McStay, who now lives in Australia.
"Ronny will have been delighted to have been given that chance. He has given it his best shot and he will continue to do that I think between now and the end of the season.
"I or any coach would love to have had an opportunity like that, so I think he should enjoy it and try to achieve the best he can. That means winning the league."
Celtic, who will aim to bounce back from their Hampden defeat when they face Ross County at Celtic Park on Sunday, have an eight-point gap over Aberdeen with five matches of the campaign remaining.
