Ronny Deila calls Rangers ‘nothing’ in stunning rant

CELTIC manager Ronny Deila yesterday rounded on those who have questioned his future with a remarkable attack on Alex McLeish and club legend Pat Bonner, also claiming that Rangers are “nothing”.

Ronny Deila rounded on his critics, attacked media reporting of Celtic defeats and insisted he has full backing. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Ex-Scotland manager McLeish has said that even a treble “might not be enough” for the Norwegian if his team fail to turn around their fortunes in the Europa League. Bonner claimed that, if Deila did not at least win the title, a cup and progress from a Group A his side currently prop up, it could be “very difficult” for him to continue.

Celtic must beat Molde at home on Thursday to retain any prospects of reaching the Europa League knockout stages.

But Deila maintained he will be trusted by club chief executive Peter Lawwell and largest shareholder Dermot Desmond to lead Celtic into next summer’s Champions League qualifiers – despite coming unstuck there in his two seasons so far.

Asked about McLeish, Deila said: “Is he a Celtic man? I know he was a Rangers manager. Do you think he knows what is going on at Celtic? I don’t think so. I know how the people and players are thinking. I know how it is to live at Celtic with everyone on the outside wanting to drag us down. But where are Rangers and where are Celtic? That’s important. The demands are unbelieveable. Rangers are happy that they win games in the Championship. Then they lose against St Johnstone and everything is okay because that’s how it’s going to be. It’s easier to build up a club when it’s nothing and you are going somewhere.”

Deila, whose side face second-placed Aberdeen at Celtic Park in today’s lunchtime kick-off, added: “We are going into a [League Cup] semi-final. Are Rangers going into a semi-final? No. Are Aberdeen going into a semi-final? No. Have they rested for [two midweeks]? Yes. Have we to play four games in nine days? Yes. If we win tomorrow we are seven points clear. Is that good? I don’t know. One and a half months ago we were four points behind and I was asked if we were going to lose the league.

“So the people outside saying things, look at their own careers. Have they always been successful? I don’t think so because they have been in and out of football. When we win it’s like nothing. When we lose, it’s a scandal! This is how it is. I’m not complaining but that’s how it is to be in Celtic.

“Has he [Bonner] won four titles in a row with Celtic? No. Everybody can see that we have a group that wants to fight for me and the staff and the club.”