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Ronny Deila comments on Brendan Rodgers’ start as Celtic manager

Celtic manager Ronny Deila (Reuters)
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Rodgers replaced the Norwegian as Bhoys boss in May.

Celtic manager Ronny Deila applauds their fans after the gameRonny Deila

Former Celtic boss Ronny Deila has commented on Brendan Rodgers start and signings in the Daily Record.

Rodgers replaced Deila in May, after the Norwegian was dismissed despite securing the Scottish Premiership title for the second time in as many seasons.

Already, the Northern Irishman has achieved something Deila never could – qualification to the Champions League group stage.

Football Soccer - Hapoel Be'er Sheva v Celtic - UEFA Champions League Playoff Second Leg - Turner Stadium, Beersheba, IsraelBrendan Rodgers

Having done so, Rodgers was quick to divert some of the praise in the direction of his predecessor, who was equally magnanimous.

After labelling the Bhoys boss a ‘gentleman’, Deila told the Daily Record: “He is also a top coach and his team are playing really, really well already.

“I have seen three or four of the games and, especially in the home game against Hapoel Be’er Sheva, they were so good with intensity and speed of attacking.

Celtic's Scott Brown celebrates scoring their fifth goalCeltic’s Scott Brown celebrates scoring the fifth goal against Hapoel

“It’s good to see that Jamesy Forrest is getting better again and Brendan has made some excellent signings.

“Scott Sinclair and Kolo Toure are really good and so is Moussa Dembele.

“I also know Cristian Gamboa from his time in Norway when he played for Rosenborg. He’s very quick and attacking.

“The team is looking very good just now and I’m pleased that things are going good.”

Deila is currently involved in TV work ahead of his new role with Norwegian side Valerenga, whom he joins on January 1, and said he is looking to attend next weekend’s Old Firm tie at Parkhead.

And the 40-year-old will be hoping for a better result than his last in the fixture, which ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Scottish Cup semi-final five months ago.

He did, of course, win his only other encounter with Rangers – a 2-0 win in the Scottish League Cup in February 2015.

Celtic's Nir Biton with Rangers' Danny Wilson at the end of the matchCeltic’s Nir Biton and Rangers’ Danny Wilson shake hands after April’s Old Firm encounter