Celtic boss relishing Rangers cup semi-final and title chase

Celtic manager Ronny Deila was "delighted" to draw Rangers in the William Hill Scottish Cup - but he stressed his main excitement was continuing their quest for a fifth consecutive title.

Parkhead skipper Scott Brown stated on Thursday that the semi-final draw could help Celtic kick on in the Premiership, but Aberdeen's challenge has also given the champions every reason to reach their peak.

The Dons moved one point behind with victory over Partick Thistle on Tuesday at Firhill, where Celtic visit on Saturday.

And it is that Glasgow derby that Deila is focusing on rather than the repeat of last season's League Cup semi-final.

"I think there is something to look forward to but there is also a lot of games in the league to look forward to," Deila said. "We can start seeing the end of it.

"We are talking five in a row here. That's a big thing. The league is very, very important and that's first of all what we have to focus on.

"But it is positive we are in the semi-final as well.

"That's a game we are looking forward to. It's going to be a big, big game and it's something to be happy for. Something big is coming up but at the same time we have to focus on what's going on in the league now. There are five games before that game."

Celtic also face trips to Kilmarnock, Dundee and Motherwell as well as a home game against Hearts before their semi-final, which Deila expects to be a greater challenge than last season's comfortable 2-0 win at Hampden.

"We are delighted. It's a big chance for us, another semi-final at Hampden Park and a big game and we will do everything to get the same result that we did last time we played against them and get in a cup final," he said of the draw.

"I think Rangers have been better. You can see that in the league - their results are much better this year. So of course they are getting better."

Thistle boss Alan Archibald stated this week that his side would try to exploit any title-race nerves in Celtic.

But Deila said: "Title nerves is the wrong word. We are looking forward to every game now. We have put ourselves in a situation that we wanted to be in at the start of the season.

"We want to be top of the league and we want to be fight for cup titles and that's where we are now."