With Celtic closing in on a domestic treble criticism of Ronny Deila is harder to find.
In the opening months of the season the bulk of the Celtic support was unconvinced by Neil Lennon’s successor with two bruising Champions League exits colouring opinion.
The lack of transfer activity during the summer window suggested that the new manager had still to earn the trust of the boardroom.
Shaping opinion over Deila was the opinion of former players with Chris Sutton a persistent critic through the Daily Record and BT Sport.
Before this season started Sutton was almost universally held in high esteem by Celtic supporters with his credentials there for all to see.
A key member of Martin O’Neill’s side that crushed Rangers (IL) in a treble winning season, the former Chelsea striker had the attitude that fitted in perfectly to O’Neill’s plans.
Sutton had no respect for the old order and from the moment he tapped in the opening goal in the 6-2 match was a favourite among supporters.
Initially his criticism of Deila seemed justified, his concerns were in line with those expressed by supporters as they struggled to take to a new system of play that was designed around playing with one striker.
As Deila won over the bulk of the support Sutton refused to budge and was less than impressed by the Ronny Roar and an apparent ‘lap of honour’ after drawing at home to Inter Milan.
In recent weeks Sutton’s take on the Celtic manager has softened. The arrivals of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong plus a new contract for Chris Sutton has given the team a new attacking edge.
Deila seems to be a manager that doesn’t bear grudges, he’ll give straight answers when interrogated, and isn’t afraid to answer his critics.
Ahead of Celtic’s 2-0 win over St Mirren BT Sport put Sutton and Deila together in front of the cameras at Lennoxtown with the Celtic boss expansive in his answers looking back at the season to date- and into the future as he attempts to put his stamp across the whole club.