Celtic's Leigh Griffiths hits out at speculation over boss Ronny Deila
Friday 18 March 2016 10:33, UK
Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has expressed his frustration at other managers talking about the prospect of succeeding Ronny Deila.
Former Celtic players Davie Moyes and Malky Mackay have been quoted this week in media interviews over the possibility of managing the club as the Norwegian's record continues to come under scrutiny.
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Mackay was at pains to point out he did not want to appear as if he was a "vulture touting for someone's job" when asked about Celtic, but Moyes went on to outline his opinions on the Parkhead squad and stressed he would only manage a team that had Champions League ambitions.
Griffiths said: "It's frustrating for us because it's disrespectful. The gaffer has got a job here and he is doing okay, we are still sitting top of the league.
"So for other managers to say they are interested in the job when there's a guy still in charge, it's poor from them. The gaffer will just ignore it but us, as players, we get a wee bit frustrated with it."
As Griffiths predicted, Deila shrugged off the stories, saying: "It doesn't frustrate me at all.
"I've been on the other side before and I've been on this side. I have a lot of other things to think about without that as well.
"There is a lot going on, the newspapers want to fill their pages every day. All I am thinking about is trying to get the double for Celtic and we have some exciting games ahead."
Deila revealed he was told about the stories but had not seen them himself.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Ladbrokes Premiership clash at Kilmarnock, Deila said: "There are a lot of things going on in the media and I have to have my eyes on what I can do something with, and that is what I do with the team and
make them prepared for Saturday.
"I am the Celtic manager and I want to stay the Celtic manager. I want to fight for four trophies in two years and fight for the fifth title in a row. These are big things. And whatever happens outside that, I can't use any energy over."
Griffiths believes some criticism of his manager is unfair with the club one point ahead of Aberdeen and with a William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers to look forward to.
It's not about how you play football or beating teams by five or six, if you can grind out 2-1 victories, that's what champions are made of.
"I think at times it is," the Scotland international said. "Even though we are not playing as well as we should, we are still picking up three points. That's the most important thing.
"It's not about how you play football or beating teams by five or six, if you can grind out 2-1 victories, that's what champions are made of."
