Celtic boss Ronny Deila says they are in best form of season
Thursday 28 January 2016 19:35, UK
Celtic boss Ronny Deila believes they are enjoying their best spell of form this season as they head into Sunday's League Cup semi-final against Ross County at Hampden Park.
The Hoops beat St Johnstone 3-1 at Parkhead on Saturday to go six points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership.
It was also the first time this season Deila's side had put together a run of five wins on the bounce, scoring 15 goals in their last three outings, to leave the Norwegian excited by their ability to turn in consistently strong performances.
"We had some good games at the start but now, lately we have done it over several games, so that's very good," he said.
"We have taken some steps lately, we have had some rest and there's a lot of energy in the boys but nothing comes by itself.
"You need to keep on working, know why you're good and repeat it.
"That's going to be important on Sunday as well but if we keep the tempo and intensity from the last games, we know we can beat anybody."
The Norwegian revealed Denmark defender Erik Sviatchenko, who joined the club on January 18, could make his debut against the Stags and Deila was keen to stress that a more relaxed fixture list in comparison to earlier in the season has allowed his players to rest and prepare properly between games.
"Rest is very important but that's how it has always been here at Celtic when you play so many games," he added.
"It's always tough and you play almost 50 per cent more than the other teams so you go into games where you're not 100 per cent rested. That's why we need a big squad and why we change the team.
"But we also started our season on June 22 and some of the boys didn't have more than two weeks off so to get some rest is important and then you see a much sharper team than you see maybe at the end of December.
"The goal [for the second half of the season] is to step up. You have to develop yourself during the season and you need to get better. If you do that you have a chance to fight for trophies."
