Deila tells Janko the door is open

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has told new signing Saidy Janko that the path to the first team is open if he can prove himself.

Celtic earlier announced that the 19-year-old right-back would join the club on a four-year contract from Manchester United subject to the final results of a medical.

The Switzerland Under-19 international faces competition from Mikael Lustig, Adam Matthews and Darnell Fisher for the right-back spot but Deila believes he can make his mark.

Janko did not make a first-team appearance for United after joining from FC Zurich on summer transfer deadline day in 2013, but he played 10 games for Bolton last season after Neil Lennon signed him on loan in February.

Speaking after Celtic's 2-0 friendly win against Den Bosch, Deila said: "He's a young player who we want to develop. He's a very talented full-back and I'm really looking forward to seeing him in training.

He has to show himself in training and the road is there if he shows he's the best.

"He can play winger as well but his main position is full-back.''

Deila is still looking to add to his summer arrivals of Dedryck Boyata and Janko but he would not comment on Celtic's pursuit of Dundee United forward Nadir Ciftci.

Celtic saw an offer rejected last week with Wigan reported to have moved ahead of them in the race to sign the 23-year-old forward.

Deila, whose public pursuit of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong earned a rebuke from United boss Jackie McNamara in January, said: "I don't want to comment on any names. I did that before and I don't think I want to do it again.

"We will see. We are working hard on different things but we want to build a team with consistency. We have a lot of consistency in the team and that's why the players are performing well. The players who are here are the players who will be the most important for us.''

Armstrong and Lustig went off 40 minutes into Celtic's win over the Dutch side at St Mirren Park but their fitness issues were not serious.

Deila said: "He (Armstrong) has a dead leg, so that will be okay. Lustig hadn't played for four months and his groins were a little bit tight. There is nothing to worry about.''