Deila explains where this season’s team is better than last

Ronny Deila has explained why he believes the current Celtic side are stronger than the team he had 12 months ago.

Coping with the departures of Virgil van Dijk and Jason Denayer was never going to be easy with the hoops defence changing from game to game.

Saidy Janko, Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic have all been signed up while Tyler Blackett has been brought in on loan with Kieran Tierney making inroads towards a regular place.

Losing out on a Champions League place to Malmo has cast a footballing and financial shadow over the club but Deila believes that his current squad are more than capable of matching last season’s successes.

“A lot of players have developed,” he explained. “So players like Tom Rogic and James Forrest, who didn’t play so much last year because of injuries, are now becoming important in the team.

“We have improved – we have more points than we did last year, we’ve scored 23 goals in eight games, which is double what it was last year, so we’re in a better place.

“We’re still in every competition and we got a point away against Ajax so in terms of results, we’re better but I see things beyond that. I see a culture where players are getting better and better.

“It’s nice to see players like Rogic and Forrest starting to get to their potential – it excites me and gives me energy every time they go on the pitch and I see they’re getting better.”

Since losing at Aberdeen in the SPFL Celtic have bounced back with a draw away to Ajax and wins over Dundee and Raith Rovers. Wins over Hearts and Fenerbahce over the next week will go a long way towards building momentum as the season develops.