\u201cI see a lot of very good football players, but there are some differences between how they play before and how we want them to play and that takes a little bit of time but we have made a good start.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe would ideally have more time before the UEFA Champions League qualifiers but the boys are working hard every day so credit to them, some things are going a little bit slower than other things but I think we have come very far in a short space of time.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt has lived up to my expectations, but everything is the same when you get on the pitch and work with the staff. I\u2019m used to that. The difference is when you go among people and you understand that it is an enormous club, with a lot of passion and that is what is new for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The first game, against Krasnodar, on Thursday starts at five thirty, and interest is already high in the game. How will the players adapt to a new system ? How quickly can the team get up to speed ? Will John collins play left midfield ?<\/p>\n \u00a0Celtic TV have, as yet, not decided to do the friendlies on a match to match basis, but theres still time. Otherwise, you’ll need to subscribe. Surely they have worked out that doing them on a single match basis will hook viewers, and increase the season long subscription ?<\/p>\n \u00a0Deila played down the importance of the game;<\/p>\n \u201cAt this time the result or the opposition doesn\u2019t really matter. It is all about how we perform.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been talking to almost every player now so I\u2019m starting to know them a little bit as people as well as players but they have a little bit to do physically after vacation, but also at the same time they need a little break after playing for so many months and we are going to play a lot of games until May.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s very important that the players reflect on how they are doing. One of my big issues in coaching is that players have to take responsibility for themselves, to develop and be curious and want to learn.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI will the try and get a culture in which they are able to see pictures after games, have good comments after games and that means both on and off the pitch. I think they know what\u2019s expected now both on and off the pitch but it takes time to adapt.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI am an emotional person and I have a picture in my head of what I want and although it\u2019s never going to be perfect, the closer we get to it the better the team are going to play. I have to be patient, try and take a little bit at a time but I think we\u2019re getting there.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Dare I say it, but its all very exciting, and certainly has me looking forward to the new term.<\/p>\n The best way to secure a seat is with a season book! ( Will this do, Peter ? Cheques fine )<\/p>\n Celtic , of course, continue their drive for season book sales, and perhaps its unfair to joke about it. But our CSC intends to hit the highway a lot more this season, simply because it looks like being fun. And theres nothing better than your own seat.<\/p>\n The good news is, that despite the speculation, there have been no offers for any of the players yet, with just a couple of months of the transfer window left. Deila is not fazed by any talk of losing his players, and confirmed no-one has put an offer on the table, or anywhere else for that matter.<\/p>\n \u201cI have always been used to this kind of situation because at Stromsgodset I lost half a team every year, it\u2019s a positive. If no one wants your players then you are doing something wrong.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThere are always going to be rumours, but that is all they are at the moment.\u00a0When someone faxes Celtic with an offer then it is real and we will have to make a decision but there is nothing concrete right now and I am positive about the rest of the window as well.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPeter (Lawwell) doesn\u2019t call me to tell me it\u2019s a rumour. He will call me when there is something true and so far I\u2019ve heard nothing.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI am hoping that remains the case. I want to keep these players but I know there is always the possibility the club can get good money, which can be reinvested. That\u2019s a good way to work.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0Apart from what is possibly over optimism about Lawwell calling him when they get an offer, maybe Deila thinks he’ll be wanting an opinion, it seems like the Norwegian is very much a man with his own mind. The mind to get on with his job and work with the players, and to get the best out of them.<\/p>\n And he knows how to say the right things….<\/p>\n \n \u00a0 I mean , look. Our players are fitted with wheels.<\/p>\n The article, in the Record, \u00a0concerns fears that Fraser Forster might be the subject of an \u00a38m bid from Atletico Madrid, and although he didn’t exactly quash any fears that we may have of Forsters exit, he made us all feel a little better by telling us how bloody marvellous we are, which was nice.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI saw Fraser in the Champions League matches and he was unbelievably good.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t play in the World Cup but I can see why he is a prospect for big clubs in Europe.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cBut Celtic are a bigger club than Atletico Madrid. The difference is the money.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s why we lose players because we need to balance the club financially.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cEvery player here knows they are at a huge club and it has to be something very good to make them leave.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s frustrating but that\u2019s how it is. I can\u2019t do anything about it but I am proud of the way Celtic are, there are not many teams in Europe that can compete with the fans here.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Another player has committed his immediate future to the club. Nigerian defender Efe Ambrose told African Football.com that he was happy in Glasgow and wasn’t planning on leaving;<\/p>\n “I have two years left on my contract with Celtic. I am presently very happy at the club and enjoying my football. And so I will see through my contract,” \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n It also looks as though Craig Gordon will be joining this week. Deila seems happy enough with what he’s seen, and said;<\/p>\n \u201cWe are getting closer with Craig Gordon, it is down to the small details. We can make this happen but it\u2019s not confirmed yet.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe need to have alternatives. You always make contingency plans.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cIf you are going to bring in older players then they need to have the right mentality and Craig has that.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0I don’t think its his mentality that worries supporters as much as the possibility he’ll break down injured again. Gordon is a very good keeper, or was, and it just seems way too much of a risk to bring him in as a direct replacement for Forster, especially with the talk of Zaluska being allowed to leave.<\/p>\n \u00a0As for bringing players in, Deila wants a couple of wingers, preferably a couple made of bone and muscle instead of glass and putty.<\/p>\n \n![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Brhe5vtIAAAD7dS.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Embedded](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BrdqdJmCQAA9BfG.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bob](\"https:\/\/etims.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Bob-The-Builder1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Don](\"http:\/\/www.eveningtimes.co.uk\/sites\/default\/files\/imagecache\/400xY\/2014\/7\/24636832.jpg\")
<\/p>\n