Deila "Bored By English Football"

Photo by Jeff Holmes Celtic boss Ronny Deila has offered up a stout defence of the Scottish game by claiming its English counterpart often bores him in comparison. The Norwegian was speaking in the wake of the announcement this week of a record #5.14billion Premier League TV rights deal. Sky and BT Sport agreed a record deal for live rights for three seasons from 2016-19, a 70 per cent increase on the current #3billion contract, with such fantastic sums of money provoking widespread debate. Deila, a keen student of football, has only been at the Parkhead club since taking over from Neil Lennon last summer. Speaking at Celtic's Lennoxtown training complex ahead of the trip to St Johnstone on Saturday, where his side will look to cement their place at the top of the Scottish Premiership where they hold a three-point lead over Aberdeen, he noted the increase of money into the game south of the border. However, the former Stromsgodset boss stated enthusiastically that he has been impressed with that he has witnessed so far in Scottish football, including the atmosphere in the Hoops' Scottish League Cup semi-final win over rivals Rangers at Hampden earlier in the month. "Scottish football has so much enthusiasm," he said. "I don't think too much about money. It is important for fans to understand the English clubs are getting more money and we have no chance to compete with budgets. "But we can be better at other things that doesn't cost money like developing players and people. "I think we should be more proud of it (the game in Scotland). The interest here is phenomenal. It is something special. "When you go to Celtic games away, the fans are fantastic. "I have been many times to England and I am bored compared with what's happening here in the stands sometimes. "The game against Rangers is special. They don't have that. "I have been at United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and it's not near the atmosphere there was in that game." Deila was speaking less than 24 hours after midfielder Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven both scored debut goals in the 3-0 win over Partick Thistle at Firhill. While the former Dundee United duo, who arrived at Parkhead on transfer deadline day, got off to a dream start with the Hoops, John Guidetti once again had an off night in front of goal. The 22-year-old Swedish striker, on loan from Manchester City, scored 11 times in 10 games earlier in the season but has not notched since the 4-0 William Hill Scottish Cup win at Hearts on November 30. Having lost his place to Leigh Griffiths, he was given a start against the Jags after the former Wolves striker injured an ankle but missed several chances to end his drought. Deila, however, was supportive of a player whom he still wants to sign on a permanent deal and urged him not to become frustrated. "He has to stop doing that," he said. "Why should he be frustrated? "It is not about goals, it is about winning and doing the job for the team and he does that perfectly well and the goals will come as a consequence of that. "I was delighted with his performance against Partick. He was working for the team, he was a team player "So he has to stop thinking about results and start thinking about processes. "Why do I score goals? Why am I not scoring goals? Instead of 'I have to score goals' because then they won't come. "You have seen many good strikers who haven't scored for a while. "We knew there was going to be a dip and now he is into it and it is how he works himself out of it. "He is on the right way and he will get his results if he keeps on doing it, and he will improve as a player and be back on a better level. "I think he will realise that we will make him a better player. "This environment is very good for young players who want to get better and hopefully he will stay here." Deila rested winger James Forrest for the Thistle game but will have him back for the trip to Perth on Saturday, along with Griffiths. The Parkhead boss was also optimistic about having midfielder Kris Commons back from his hamstring injury for the Europa League last-32 first-leg clash with Inter Milan at Celtic Park next Thursday night. He said: "Kris looks fine. He will not play on Saturday but he has a chance for Inter Milan game."