Deila seeks home comforts

Published 12th Dec 2014

Pic: Jeff Holmes

Ronny Deila is looking for Celtic to rid themselves of their Europa League blues when they take on St Mirren on Sunday. The Hoops' final Group D fixture against Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadion Maksimir on Thursday night ended in a 4-3 defeat, although the blow was softened with the Scottish champions already assured of a place in the last 32 before they flew out to Croatia. Deila was frustrated by his side's defensive frailties but is looking to make amends when they resume Scottish Premiership duty against the struggling Saints at Celtic Park. "We were 2-1 up and had an opportunity to win, that is the most disappointing thing," said the Norwegian. "So we need to get back on track again on Sunday and I am looking forward to that because I don't have a very good feeling in my body right now. "It was a poor performance, we were not at 100 per cent and there was a lack of intensity and aggression. "It was disappointing that we weren't up for the game. "We scored three goals, that was a positive and I think the substitutes (Darnell Fisher, Liam Henderson and Anthony Stokes) were positive when they came on, but defensively we gave away too many chances and conceded four goals. "You should win when you score three goals away in Europe." An under-strength Celtic side fell behind to Marko Pjaca's strike after 14 minutes before goals from Kris Commons and Stefan Scepovic put the visitors ahead. However, Pjaca levelled with a deflected shot and he claimed his hat-trick five minutes after the break after the lead had been regained through Marcelo Brozovic, as Celtic rocked. Dinamo defender Josip Pivaric put through his own goal with nine minutes remaining and although Scepovic almost grabbed a late equaliser with a header the Parkhead side were left with eight points from six games and the knowledge they need to improve against whoever they are paired with in the draw next week. Deila said: "It is going to be a totally different game (in the knockout stages) and we will be a much better team than we were last night. "I am not frightened, I know we will have a very good opponent and I am really looking forward to it."