Deila working hard to get balance right at Celtic

The reigning champions struggled to create chances in a cagey first half at Celtic Park before grabbing a 53rd-minute opener through Gary Mackay-Steven.

Top scorer Leigh Griffiths added another six minutes later before completing the scoring in stoppage time.

However, the game really came to life with the introduction of substitutes Ryan Christie, Scott Allan and Patrick Roberts following the second goal, with the trio of attacking midfielders entertaining a previously subdued home crowd with more direct play.

But, while praising the contribution of his substitutes, Deila was keen to make a case for his defence as they kept their third clean sheet in a row.

"It's always a balance between things. Every good team is built on a solid defence. If you are open then there are problems," the Celtic manager said.

"We have a very hard working team. There was maybe not so much creativity in the starting 11 but you know they are going to do the hard work and that's important.

"We also had some subs coming on who were lively and that's a positive as well.

"They had energy and really wanted to show themselves. They played with confidence and they worked hard. That's the two combinations that I am looking for.

"They have skills that can open defences and take people on and they showed that today.

"It's good that we have players who can come on like this. We need to get this together; the hard work and the flair."

The win was Celtic's fifth in a row at home following their loss to Motherwell back in December and extends their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership over second-placed Aberdeen to six points with 12 games to go.

However, Deila isn't complacent when it comes to the Dons' title challenge.

"I hate losing at home and I'm not used to it that's for sure. Before I came here I hadn't lost at home for three and a half years so of course you want to win at home and you want to excite the fans," the Norwegian Deila, who was unbeaten in 44 home games at previous club Stromsgodset, said.

"We score a lot of goals but there's still things to work on in the build-up play and that's something we have to improve.

"It's a long way to go but we are in a good situation. However, if we start losing games then it could be very even again.

"If we win games then the others need to cope with that and if they do that it's going to be tough all the way."

Recent results have eased the pressure on Deila, who had come in for criticism following disappointing European results and a League Cup semi-final defeat to Ross County.

However, the Hoops boss is happy with his side's progress and said he fully expected he would be given another crack at getting his side into the Champions League next season if he delivered Celtic a fifth league title in a row.

"I really expect that of course and that's what I want," admitted Deila, whose side visit Hamilton Academical next Friday.

"There's so much to do here and it's a very exciting team coming up now with a lot of young talented players together with some experience as well. This team could be very, very good.

"I really want to continue and make this club successful."