Norwegian website TV2 are reporting that Ronny Deila will quit Celtic at the end of the season.
The news is hardly a revelation but does provide the first solid claim that the Norwegian is on his way out of Celtic.
According to the report the blood-thirsty Scottish tabloid press and supporter criticism is behind the decision of the former Stromsgodset manager to step down.
After yesterday’s Scottish Cup semi-final defeat at Hampden most Celtic supporters expected some sort of comment from the club but the day passed without any statement being made.
Tony Mowbray and John Barnes were both sacked within 24 hours of disastrous results but despite the fury and anger of supporters it seems that Peter Lawwell is determined to stand by his man until the end of the season.
Despite an eight point lead at the top of the Premiership table Celtic face third placed Hearts then second placed Aberdeen after Sunday’s home match with Ross County.
If Celtic fail to pick up full points from the visit of Ross County the anger of supporters is likely to be made known during the match with most fans directing their criticism towards the boardroom rather than the dug out.
It seems that Lawwell has decided that sacking Deila would be a bigger risk than sticking with the Norwegian who is on a one year rolling contract.
Despite yesterday’s result Deila refused to discuss how own future preferring to talk about the task he faces in the remaining matches of the season.
Yesterday’s reverse has put on hold the launch of the campaign to renew season tickets with the retention of Deila certain to be a box office flop.
Should Celtic win the Premiership title they will be involved in Champions League qualifiers in mid July leaving Deila’s replacement around six weeks to prepare for the club’s most valuable matches of the season.
CLICK HERE to read the TV2 report.