Deila Hopes Celtic Fans Avoid Ban

Photo by Jeff Holmes Celtic manager Ronny Deila hopes any UEFA punishment does not impact on their eagerly-awaited clash with Inter Milan after the club were hit with the latest of a series of disciplinary charges by the European governing body. UEFA's control, ethics and disciplinary body will examine allegations of "crowd disturbances" among Celtic fans during last week's Europa League defeat against Dinamo Zagreb, in a hearing on February 19. Celtic host Inter that night in the first leg of the knockout stages and any punishment could come before their trip to Milan seven days later. A flare was lit in the visiting section during the game in the Croatian capital and there were other unconfirmed reports of a disturbance, although the only footage that has apparently emerged shows a policeman hitting a Celtic fan over the head with a baton. Deila is desperate to avoid any potential ban on Celtic fans travelling to Italy following their sixth UEFA charge in a little over three years. "That would be a big setback for us," he said. "Hopefully we get as many Celtic fans as possible to the game in Italy because that's important for us." Celtic have twice recently been fined for what UEFA termed "illicit banners" - one a Palestinian flag and one featuring Irish Republican hunger striker Bobby Sands. They have also been fined for incidents involving pro-IRA songs and fireworks at separate home European games as well as for incidents at an away game with Udinese which saw fireworks let off and the display of a banner insulting UEFA. Deila added: "If we continue doing this we will get fines and things that are not good for the club, and a reputation as well. We need to make this stop so we can concentrate on football. "We are not feeling good about this. But it's a small minority of the fans that's doing something. Overall my impression is that they are fantastic fans." The news failed to dampen Deila's enthusiasm for their impending meetings with the team Celtic beat in the 1967 European Cup final. "It's maybe the biggest club we could get and we are excited and really looking forward to the games," Deila said. "I know about '67 of course so it's a historic moment as well. "It's two big teams coming together and having a real, real fight. We will have a full stadium at Celtic Park and create that atmosphere to push the team forward and hopefully win the game." Deila once met Inter manager Roberto Mancini when he visited Manchester City's training ground in a bid to improve his coaching knowledge and he knows the former Italy striker will have his team in good shape come February. "They have been struggling a bit now but they have changed manager and Mancini is coming in and they will improve,'' the Norwegian said. "But we have a chance. If we are on top of our game and have a good atmosphere here, we can have a good result to take to Italy. Anything is possible." Deila has met some of the Lisbon Lions - the team who famously beat Inter in the 1967 European Cup final - and is well aware of the significance of the game. "I met a couple or three of them some time ago," he said. "It is an unbelievable history. "And we have Danny McGrain here. He was a little bit too young to play but he's in my office every day so I know about the history." Celtic have denounced the behaviour of the supporter responsible for the flare in Zagreb, and warned such incidents are hurting the club. In a statement, Celtic said: "Around 1,200 Celtic supporters enjoyed an excellent visit to Zagreb and were welcomed warmly by the city, enjoying a very friendly atmosphere. It is extremely disappointing therefore that the actions of one individual have had such a negative impact on the club and other supporters at the match. "There can be absolutely no excuse for the use of flares or any other pyrotechnics. The threat to the health and safety of supporters caused by their use in football grounds is well known and we have repeatedly asked for this practice to stop. "The small handful of individuals who have been involved in behaviour of this kind in Zagreb and on other occasions have done nothing but embarrass the club and tarnish the excellent and hard-earned reputation of Celtic supporters, who have invested time and money to travel and watch their team. As a club, we try to do all we can to stop such behaviour, however, we can only do so much - people must take responsibility. "Those who choose to indulge in such behaviour are quite simply damaging Celtic Football Club, the club which they claim to support. "We must protect the club and our supporters. Clearly we will deal with any individuals identified in the strongest terms, however, we once again repeat our appeal for supporters to back the club in the right way and demonstrate all that is great about Celtic."