RONNY DEILA insists he’s not jealous of Brendan Rodgers’ success because he has played a part in Celtic’s season of glory too.
Rodgers has enjoyed a sensational opening campaign in Scotland taking 67 out of a possible 69 points in the Premier League, ahead of today’s visit to St Johnstone.
It’s in marked contrast to Deila’s second and final season at Parkhead where they stumbled their way over the finishing line and got knocked out of the Scottish Cup by Championship side Rangers.
Deila is preparing for his first season in charge of homeland side Valarenga after quitting the Hoops in the summer.
But, in a wide-ranging interview in Norway, defiant Deila insists he has no regrets about his time at Celtic.
And he regrets he built the foundations for Rodgers’ success.
He said: “I read that I should feel cheated because of what Celtic have done with the same players this season.
“Why should I feel cheated?
“I’m hugely impressed by what Brendan Rodgers has done this season. Really impressed.
“And I feel a sense of ownership about this team that I helped create who are now absolutely the best team in Scotland right now.
“Is Brendan Rodgers a better coach than me? He may well be . . . he is one of the world’s top club managers and has been Liverpool boss.
“I hold no grudges against him or anyone. I am proud I have been a part of it.
“I’m very pleased that that many of the players I had there are doing fine now.
“For me, it is a gratification, I’m not a trophy hunter, I operated by creating things. And I have been very clear on this.
“Virgil van Dijk was sold for £15 million – Celtic’s biggest ever transfer. Who was involved in that?
“I created things at Celtic and they are now reaping the rewards of it.
“It was part of my job and I hope to do the same at Valarenga.
“People can say what they want, but I lost 19 games of 120 and was the manager of Celtic for two seasons.
“The experience of being a manager at such a big club has made me a stronger person.”
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