Ronny Deila singled out Scott Allan for praise after Celtic’s 3-1 win over Inverness Caley Thistle.
The former Hibs midfielder has still to start a match for Celtic but made a telling impact after replacing Stuart Armstrong early in the second half.
Four minutes after being introduced Allan sent a ball through to Kieran Tierney that set up Leigh Giffiths for Celtic’s second goal.
“What I am so happy about is when you have a good attitude in training, you work hard, you are loyal, very humble and want to learn, like Callum McGregor and Scott Allan,” Deila said.
“You see they get pay-back and that is so nice to see as a coach, the same with Kieran Tierney.
“Scott was a big player at Hibs, he knew it was a big step to come to Celtic, he knew he had to be patient and work hard and he has never said ‘I need to play’ to me, he keeps on working and he gets his chance in the end.
“Those three are unbelievable examples of players who have been out and worked their way back into things and show on the pitch that ‘I want to play.”
McGregor put Celtic in front after seven minutes with a low 25 yard drive after picking the ball up in his own half.
Miles Storey levelled the scores six minutes before half time but Griffiths’ 19th goal of the season and a bizarre own goal from Daniel Devine after Carlton Cole was chopped down in the box sent Celtic seven points ahead of Aberdeen.
Pre-match Anthony Stokes took to twitter to express his anger at being left out with the 27-year-old likely to face a club fine for his outburst.
Asked if those comments had been disrespectful to his team-mates Deila said: “It is for the boys. We travel every week with 20 players and the manager puts out 11 and seven on the bench and there are always two left out.
“If that is harder for him than somebody else, then for me he is not a team player.
“What is important with Stokesy is that he has to show the work first before he speaks and if you do that then you always have a future but so far he has been more talking than performances.”
Good one Ronny.
Good one son.
Good one Ronny.
Let’s have another one.
Well done to the young lads in the team today, Allan, Mcgregor and Tierney i thought you played with skill and maturity, Armstrong looked off the pace and Boyata needs to be stronger at the back good result after thursday and good to see big Carlton, looked as if he lost half a stone.
It’s always hard up there, so we’ll done to the bhoys, that’s us 7 points clear at the top of the league.
HH
Five 5 five 5 five 5