Ronny Deila has a good feeling over Celtic’s chances of progressing to the group stage of the Champions League.
A 1-1 draw in Maribor puts Celtic into the driving seat to progress into the lucrative group stages just a fortnight after apparently being knocked out by Legia Warsaw.
It was a much more disciplined display by the hoops who could well have won the match after taking a sixth minute lead from Callum McGregor.
“We have the return at Celtic Park, we have to use that to our advantage and I have a good feeling that we can make it,” the hoops boss stated.
“Its going to be a tough game, they might be more dangerous away than at home, we have to play with good balance and attack them in the right way.
“Tonight we played very well, we created chances, I’m proud of the boys. They worked hard for 90 minutes and now we can look forward to the return match at Celtic Park.”
Craig Gordon made his European debut for Celtic and pulled off a couple of impressive saves as Maribor were reduced to mainly long range efforts on goal.
“Everyday I see the hunger he has to get back to the level he was at,” Deila added. “He is almost there now. He is an experienced keeper, he is calm and knows how to focus, he is a leader in our group and that is very important.
Deila was able to joke about Stefan Johansen’s display with the midfielder putting in a power of work but getting little in the way of rewards for his efforts.
On the half hour mark the midfielder found himself on the goal-line blocking a net-bound header from Virgil van Dijk with the linesman flagging for offside.
Midway through the second half a mazy run from Johansen took him deep into the Maribor penalty box but as he prepared to shoot he seemed to trip himself up.
“He was the best defender for Maribor,” the Celtic boss joked. “Virgil was heading the ball into the net when it hit Stefan, I will need to see him about that.”
