Ronny Deila faced up to increasing pressure by declaring that he "will never quit" as Celtic boss.

The Norwegian's tenure is under scrutiny after the 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Wednesday night cut the Hoops' lead over the Dons at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership table to three points.

It was another poor result for the champions after hopes of a domestic treble ended with a 3-1 defeat to Ross County at Hampden Park on Sunday.

Deila said he had not considered his position overnight and when asked if there might be a set of circumstances which might make him consider quitting, he replied: "I will never quit of course. This is a fantastic job and I see big opportunities here.

"The dream is to get into the Champions League. This is a Champions League club and we have to win the league and we are three points ahead. Everything is in our hands and there is a lot to play for.

"We will stick to what we believe in, which we have done well a lot of times, and fight to win the league.

"We are in this together, everybody is one group. I talk to the players, the board and Peter (Lawwell, chief executive) and we are in this together and we are going to turn this around.

"The most important thing is that everyone, the fans, everybody stands together and we are one team."

Deila, however, appears to accept he has lost the confidence of many Celtic fans who previously hailed him as a hero.

The former Stromsgodset boss, speaking ahead of the William Hill Scottish Cup tie against Lowland League side East Kilbride on Sunday, said: "Of course I want to be loved as well, as everybody else (does).

"But I understand that people are irritated and want better results but as I said, I believe we can do this and we will fight the whole season.

"Everything is in our hands and I know the fans will stick with us as well because they are Celtic fans and that is going to be so important for the rest of the season."

Deila is looking for Celtic to return to the form they showed before the Ross County defeat where the champions won four league games and a Scottish Cup tie, which helped him win the league sponsors' manager of the month award.

He said: "We have to get back to where we were in January, play the system well, get a lot of opportunities, score goals and get consistency in performances.

"We need to get back on track and Sunday is a big opportunity.

"I know there is a lot of quality in this team and we are going to make it in the end."