Celtic boss Ronny Deila says he has no plans to quit the club
Thursday 4 February 2016 18:26, UK
Celtic manager Ronny Deila is adamant he has no intention of leaving the club following their 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen on Wednesday.
The loss at Pittodrie to nearest challengers Aberdeen was only Celtic's third league defeat of the campaign and has resulted in Deila having to again answer questions from the media regarding his future.
Celtic are still three points clear of the Dons at the top of the Scottish Premiership and take on Lowland League side East Kilbride in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup this weekend.
While conceding some Celtic fans are becoming frustrated by performances, the Norwegian is confident he has the backing of chief executive Peter Lawwell and the board.
Deila insists he had not considered his position overnight and when asked if there would be a set of circumstances which might make him consider quitting, he said: "I will never quit, of course. This is a fantastic job and I see big opportunities here.
"The dream is to get into the Champions League. This is a Champions League club and we have to win the league and we are three points ahead. Everything is in our hands and there is a lot to play for.
"We will stick to what we believe in, which we have done well a lot of times, and fight to win the league.
"We are in this together, everybody is one group. I talk to the players, the board and Peter and we are in this together and we are going to turn this around.
"The most important thing is that everyone, the fans, everybody stands together and we are one team. But I understand that people are irritated and want better results but as I said, I believe we can do this and we will fight the whole season.
"Everything is in our hands and I know the fans will stick with us as well because they are Celtic fans and that is going to be so important for the rest of the season."
Captain Scott Brown echoed his manager's sentiments, and is determined to guide the club to a fifth successive title.
Brown was involved in a similar situation when Gordon Strachan's position was under scrutiny in 2008, when from a poorer position in the final weeks of the campaign Celtic rallied to win the league.
"We are still three points clear and we know what it's about - we have been there and done that and we will do it again this year," Brown said.
"Winning leagues is always hard and to get beat two games in a row is always hard, but it's about how you bounce back. We have a strong mentality in the dressing room and we have the belief we can do it and we will go on and do it.
"The manager has been good since he has come in. He has put 100 per cent into the job and a lot behind us and we need to do it for him. He has put a lot of faith in everyone and now we owe it to the fans and him and everyone at Celtic Park.
"We have to take a lot of responsibility. It's us that are out on the park, it's 11 versus 11, and Aberdeen got the better of us for the second time this season up there which isn't great.
"But we are still top of the league and three points clear and that's what people have to remember. We still have a lot of games to go, we have a big squad and we intend to use it.
"No matter when it is, you are always going to get tough times. We had tough times under Gordon as well and we got through that and became better players and went on to win leagues and trophies and that's we aim to do before the end of the season."
