Hearts boss Robbie Neilson admires Celtic counterpart Ronny Deila
Thursday 24 December 2015 14:20, UK
Hearts boss Robbie Neilson has revealed he is full of admiration for the way Celtic counterpart Ronny Deila copes with pressure.
The Norwegian has come under fire after his side lost their third Scottish Premiership game of 2015, when they were beaten 2-1 by Motherwell at Celtic Park last Saturday.
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Deila's side could now go into Sunday's match against the Jambos at Tynecastle two points behind Aberdeen, having played two games fewer.
But regardless of the results at the weekend, Celtic are still involved in all three domestic competitions, despite patchy performances throughout the campaign.
And Neilson has sympathy for Deila's position, which is subject to more scrutiny than any other manager in Scottish football.
"There is always that constant pressure and I think Ronny has handled himself well," Neilson said.
"It is part and parcel of the job at big clubs like Celtic that there is always someone trying to put pressure on you.
"Celtic is a team that is used to playing under pressure, a team that is used to having to get results and Sunday is no different.
"They will come with the same mentality as they always do, no matter if they have been beat the week before or they have not been beat."
Neilson is looking forward to what is traditionally a feisty fixture between two of Scotland's fiercest rivals.
He said: "Aberdeen, ourselves and Celtic are three teams that pull the biggest crowds so it is a big game and one that players want to be involved in. It is sold-out again which is great.
"It is important that the two teams put on a show, the first 20 minutes will be quite intense and hopefully we will start playing a bit of football after that."
Hearts have not won any of their last four matches, but have drawn three of those games, and the former Jambos defender is relaxed about the prospect of facing the champions.
"We haven't picked up the points we would have liked recently but the performances have been good," Neilson said.
"The players are in good condition and starting to play a bit more football than they have been recently and we would like to carry that into Sunday."
