Ronny Deila feels vindicated by Celtic players after win at Hearts

Departing Celtic boss Ronny Deila claimed the 3-1 win over Hearts at Tynecastle, which all but secured the club's fifth successive Premiership title, showed he has the backing of his players.

Goals by forwards Colin Kazim-Richards, Patrick Roberts and Leigh Griffiths made substitute Abiola Dauda's leveller a consolation as the Hoops moved 12 points ahead of second-place Aberdeen.

The Dons play the first of their four remaining games at home to Motherwell later in the day although the Parkhead club have a goal difference in their favour of 38 which makes them overwhelming favourites to win a fifth successive league title.

Deila will leave the club at the end of the season but the Norwegian was keen to stress he still has the support of the dressing room.

He said: I am very happy and proud as well. It is a tough job, especially in the last week.

You always ask me 'have you lost the dressing room?'

I know I never did and today shows that.

The players are standing behind me all the time and today they gave a fantastic performance.

I am so happy for them and also that we can give something back to the fantastic supporters, who have been standing behind us for the whole season.

Five in a row has not happened so many times and you have to enjoy it and I am going to enjoy it today, I can assure you of that.

The biggest challenge in this club is unity. When you are winning and winning and everybody wants you down from the throne and want to split us.

But if you stay together, the supporters and players, the rest of the club, we are hard to beat and that was shown today.

The supporters were really behind us, the players were fighting for each other and then Celtic were the best team.''

Hearts had secured third spot and a European place before the game started but found the Parkhead side too strong.

Head coach Robbie Neilson was understanding of the defensive lapses from defenders Alim Ozturk and John Souttar that cost his side dearly.

He said: He (Souttar) is 19 years old and is playing in the biggest game in Scotland this weekend.

He is still learning the game but his passing, along with Ozturk, gives us the base to play the game.

Unfortunately they made a mistake each today and it costs us two goals.

There are going to be days when they won't and we will win the games. But as long as they learn from it.''

Neilson believes that the overall signs augur well for next season.

The former Tynecastle defender said: We are getting closer, we are coming into these games trying to win where before the aim was to turn in a good performance.

The performances are there now, we just need to try and get the good results.

I think we can get closer to Celtic next season because we are always improving.''