Celtic Boss Ronny Deila Expects Stiffer Hearts Test

Ronny Deila expects Celtic to face a much better Hearts team on Saturday than the one they met in both cup competitions last season.

The Gorgie side were runaway winners of the Championship as they returned to the top flight at the first time of asking following relegation caused by financial problems.

However, the Tynecastle men were twice put in their place by the Hoops.

The Ladbrokes Premiership champions won 3-0 when the clubs met at Parkhead in the League Cup a year ago and Deila's side followed that up in November with a 4-0 win at Tynecastle in the Scottish Cup.

However, the Norwegian believes there has been improvement at the Edinburgh club.

He said: "We had them twice last year it was a tough draw for us in both cups.

"It went well both times, but they have improved since then and we'll have to be switched on and put in a really good performance to get three points.

"They are a club who have impressed me. It's a big club which has come up and that is good for everybody.

"They had a bad period with a bad economy, but they used that half a year or whatever it was to play a young team and build a new team.

"Last year they were almost winning every game with their energy and the fans were on their side.

"They started well so far and they showed they can be in the top six so it's going to be a tough game.''

Despite being five points behind leaders Aberdeen in the title race and having again failed to qualify for the Champions League this season, Deila claims his side are in "much better shape'' than they were a year ago.

He said: "People know what to expect in the different roles, so we are stronger as a squad now.

"A lot of players have developed, so players like Tom Rogic and James Forrest, who didn't play so much last year because of injuries, are now becoming important in the team.

"We have improved - we have more points than we did (this time) last year, we've scored 23 goals in eight games, which is double what it was last year, so we're in a better place.

"We're still in every competition and we got a point away against Ajax (in the Europa League) so in terms of results, we're better.

"But I see things beyond that. I see a culture where players are getting better and better.

"It's nice to see players like Rogic and Forrest starting to get to their potential - it excites me and gives me energy every time they go on the pitch and I see they're getting better.''