Ronny Deila enjoying Celtic's best form of season

Boss Ronny Deila believes Celtic are enjoying their best spell of form this season as they head into Sunday's League Cup semi-final against Ross County at Hampden Park.

The Hoops beat St Johnstone 3-1 at Parkhead on Saturday to go six points clear of Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership.

It was also the first time this season that Celtic put together five wins in a row, scoring 15 goals in their last three outings.

Speaking at the national stadium, Deila acknowledged the fine start to 2016 when asked if they had reached a new level.

He said: "I think so. We had some good games at the start but now, lately we have done it over several games so that's very good.

"We have taken some steps lately, we have had some rest and there's a lot of energy in the boys but nothing comes by itself.

"You need to keep on working, know why you're good and repeat it.

"That's going to be important on Sunday as well but if we keep the tempo and intensity from the last games we know we can beat anybody."

The Norwegian, who revealed recently-signed 24-year-old Denmark defender Erik Sviatchenko could make his debut against County, was keen to stress that a more relaxed fixture list in comparison to earlier in the season has allowed his players to rest and prepare properly between games.

He said: "Rest is very important but that's how it has always been here at Celtic when you play so many games.

"It's always tough and you play almost 50 per cent more than the other teams so you go into games where you're not 100 per cent rested.

"That's why we need a big squad and why we change the team. But we also started our season on June 22 and some of the boys didn't have more than two weeks off so to get some rest is important and then you see a much sharper team than you see maybe at the end of December.

"The goal (for the second half of the season) is to step up. You have to develop yourself during the season and you need to get better. If you do that you have a chance to fight for trophies."

Deila sidestepped the question about Celtic's reported interest in signing Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts on loan for the remainder of the season, saying: "I can't comment on anything."

And asked if he was set to sign Kristoffer Ajer, the 17-year-old midfielder who returned to Norway following a one-week trial at Lennoxtown, he said: "Nothing is finished, when it is closed we will say something if he does."