Deila: This game will be easier for us

Celtic boss Ronny Deila says today’s title showdown against Aberdeen will be EASIER than facing the division’s worst sides.

The Dons travel to meet the Premiership leaders at Celtic Park today boasting a 13-game unbeaten League record.

Deila’s men for their part go in on the back of a mentally and physically gruelling Europa League defeat at the hands of Inter Milan at the San Siro on Thursday night.

Yet despite that, the Norwegian is bullish about his team’s prospects in a match where the home side have the chance to take a massive stride towards winning the Championship.

“It will be a big test for us, but I’m confident because the players all know what’s at stake,” he said.

“I’m more confident going in against Aberdeen on the back of the Inter Milan game, instead of a St Mirren or a Motherwell.

“Because we know this is a very big game against a team we’ll only beat if we’re at our best.

“It’s easier to get prepared for Aberdeen, and I hope there will be a lot of people in the stadium to give the game the crowd and atmosphere it deserves.”

The Celtic boss has meanwhile warned Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven they have still to prove they are good enough to play for Scotland.

His new signings have both been tipped for a call up to the national side for this month’s

double header against Northern Ireland and Gibraltar.

It comes off the back of the pair’s impressive showings against Inter Milan in the Europa League.

Deila, though, insists they have work to do to force themselves into Gordon Strachan’s thinking.

“Armstrong and Mackay-Steven have started very well and have shown they can play at a high level,” he said

“But they have to show it consistently over time. If they do that, we can start talking about them playing in the national team.

“It’s like Roy Hodgson once said you don’t want to be like fireflies who only last for one day.

“We want stars because they last forever, that was Roy’s point.

“Stuart and Gary have the capacity to play at the highest level but have to show it over time.”