Deila wants trouble-free derby

Celtic boss Ronny Deila is hoping for peace in Sunday's keenly-awaited Scottish League Cup semi-final against Rangers at Hampden Park.

Tensions will be high at the national stadium ahead of the first meeting between the two clubs in almost three years since Rangers re-emerged at the bottom of Scottish football following their descent into administration and liquidation.

The Norwegian revealed that, in a bid to minimise any possibility of trouble at the game, Strathclyde Police had visited Celtic to remind the players and management team of its responsibilities.

We have talked to the police but they have been to every other club in the semi-finals,'' said Deila, although Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes and Dundee United's Jackie McNamara were unaware of any visit to their respective clubs ahead of their meeting on Saturday.

It is a football match, with a lot of emotion and it should be that. I hope it is going to be peaceful. That is what we want.

(The police said) we are responsible (and) to keep it peaceful. To be aware and understand what is important and that is what is happening on the pitch.

Everything we do to cause problems can affect other people.''

Asked if the police had requested him not to go on the park after the final whistle to celebrate with the Hoops fans in what has become his customary manner, should the Premiership leaders win, the former Stromsgodset manager said: No, but I have said many times first of all we have to win.

We have to concentrate more on that and we will see after the game.

I will never do anything to offend the Rangers fans. It is about celebrating with your own fans and not doing anything wrong to the others.

Respect is a big thing. We will show it and hopefully Rangers will do the same.''

Deila was speaking at the national stadium where he and his fellow semi-final managers, Kenny McDowall of Rangers, McInnes and McNamara, were publicising the weekend's games.

He is aware that Celtic are favourites to beat a beleaguered Ibrox club battling to get promoted out of the Championship while still embroiled in off-field problems, and with a caretaker manager in McDowall having indicated his desire to leave at the end of the season.

However, the Hoops boss was uncomfortable about the suggestion that Parkhead fans are looking for a big winning margin.

He said: That is a media thing. To win is everything. To win 4-0 or 1-0, it doesn't matter to me.

It is about a good performance and winning the game.

It is one game and everybody is dreaming of a fantastic result but the only thing I am dreaming of is a win.

That is what is in the players' minds as well because we want to play in the final here in March.

Nothing in football is easy. Every game we go into we are favourites and we are expected to win, so this is nothing new for us.

We are favourites but Rangers' budget is the second biggest in Scotland and they have beaten teams in the top division and played in big matches before.''

Indeed, to counteract any possibility of complacency at Celtic Park, Deila pointed to the shock results in the English FA Cup last weekend, with Chelsea beaten at home by Bradford and Manchester City losing to Middlesbrough, among others.

He said: You saw in the cup in England that nothing is straightforward.

It is going to be a tough game but when we are on top form, we have a good chance to win.

We have confidence because we have had a lot of good results and performances lately.

But we have to treat every opponent with respect because, as I said, anything can happen in the cup.''