Ronny Deila believes that his Celtic side is turning the corner.
Last night’s convincing win over Hearts booked a quarter-final tie against Partick Thistle in the League Cup and recorded the first clean sheet since the league opener away to St Johnstone.
With John Guidetti opening his account for the club there were signs of understanding among the players with Gearts fortunate to return east without conceding more goals.
“It was a very good performance,” Deila stated. “I have been delighted over the last two games, I am seeing a team who works hard and works together.
“We did that on Sunday as well but what we didn’t do is open Motherwell up, we were too slow, we had too few penetrative runs.
“Tonight we were much better and in the first half we had six very good chances – and that was against a good team with good confidence.
“So I am very pleased, I think we look much more stronger and more complete.”
The game hinged on two penalty incidents early in the second half with Osman Sow blasting his effort high over the bar following an honest mistake by William Collum with Kris Commons rifling his penalty low beyond Neil Alexander.
Celtic should have had more to show for their dominance than an own goal from Adam Eckersley but maintined a high level of performance through to the final whistle.
With St Mirren, Dinamo Zagreb and Hamilton Accies coming up before the next international break Deila is looking for three wins to build up some momentum after a testing start to his Celtic career.
