Ronny Deila says team spirit is key to Celtic's treble dream this season

Ronny Deila believes a new-found togetherness among the players could help him become only the third manager in Celtic's history to deliver the domestic treble to Parkhead.

Wednesday's 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock lifted the League Cup holders eight points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership table with just six matches of the season remaining.

With bookmakers already closing their markets on the destination of the title, Deila's attention turns to Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-finall against John Hughes' Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The sides drew 1-1 in the Highlands last week but Deila is convinced on a more even, watered surface his charges can take another giant step towards scooping the board in Scotland.

Only Jock Stein and Martin O'Neill have won all three top honours in one season - Stein achieved the feat twice in 1967 and 1969 and O'Neill in 2001 - and Deila is confident the class of 2015 can elevate him to such exalted company.

The togetherness is very good, but we know the moments to be very dedicated and to be focused when we train.

Speaking to the assembled press ahead of the Sky Live showdown at Hampden, the Norwegian, who took time to win over the fans after he replaced Neil Lennon last June, said: "I think there has been a very good atmosphere here for a long, long time and it is getting better and better.

"People loosen up more when we know each other better and we are having a lot of fun here. One of the most important things needed to create and get better is to laugh a lot and enjoy life and I think that is something the players are doing.

"The togetherness is very good, but we know the moments to be very dedicated and to be focused when we train."

Deila, who will be without suspended striker Anthony Stokes and cup-tied midfield duo Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven, says he only has to look back to last weekend's stalemate at the Caledonian Stadium for a reminder the level of threat Inverness pose to his treble aspirations.

'Knowledge'

"Inverness are a good team. They are well organised and they have a good spirit," he said. "Both teams want to play football so I think it will be a better match to watch than it was last time because I don't think there were more than four chances in 90 minutes.

"Hopefully there will be some more passing, better passing and more chances."

Striker Leigh Griffiths scored the goal against Caley but was left on the bench against Kilmarnock in midweek, only to come on just before the hour mark at 1-1 and fire in a hat-trick to secure a comfortable win for the home side.

Deila praised the former Hibernian and Wolves player for his improvement under him this season but insists no one at Celtic Park can rest on their laurels.

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"I see a lot of potential in all of the players but the difference between a good and not so good player is how good they are at learning and taking in new knowledge," he added.

"Leigh wanted to make a change and he has got his reward. I think you can see a lot of players have done the same.

"Virgil van Dijk is taking steps and Jason Denayer, Emilio Izaguirre is getting better. A lot of the players are into understanding and learning.

"What you did last night is not good enough tomorrow. You have to always be alert and learn new things and learn from experiences. And if you are in that way of thinking, you will always be ahead of your opponent."