Deila Happy With Celtic Performance

pic: Jeff Holmes

Ronny Deila flew out of Slovenia a satisfied man after his Celtic side drew their Champions League play-off with Maribor. The Hoops took a 1-1 draw on their flight back to Glasgow, which sets them up nicely for the second leg in a week's time. Callum McGregor put the Scottish champions ahead and, even though Damjan Bohar responded, Celtic look to be in pole position to reach the group stages. Norwegian boss Deila said: "I am very pleased with the performance. The players were fantastic for 90 minutes today. "We also created chances, 1-1 was a good result but we could have won the game. "We were closing to win more than they were. I think we have to be the more satisfied team. The away goal is vital, 1-1 is a much better result than 0-0." Celtic are still alive in the Champions League after Legia Warsaw - who thumped them 6-1 in the previous round - were kicked out of the competition for fielding an ineligible player. "We learned a lesson in Legia, it was very early in the season and you try things but it is not just the system, they are fitter now and they know what is expected. It is getting better," Deila added. "Maribor was a very good team who are good on the counter attack but we were well organised and disciplined. "They will be more dangerous away than at home but we have the advantage of Celtic Park. I have a good feeling that we are going to reach it (group stages)." Maribor boss Ante Simundza insists his side are not out of the competition yet. He said: "We wanted a positive result and we got one. "We are still in the tie. Celtic were very solid in the first-half but we dominated the second half and I think the draw was fair. "The result gives an advantage to Celtic with the away goal but we did equalise very quickly and we have to be satisfied."