RONNY DEILA made a real impression on Scottish football after arriving from Stromsgodset as a surprise choice as Celtic manager in June 2014. Amid mixed results and a couple of trophies, he was always a willing interviewee. Here, he documents some of his highs and lows.
“Three weeks ago, I was outside waiting for a taxi to go home and decided to go into the nearest pub to get a beer. I now realise I shouldn’t do that. Everyone was very polite, but it was too much.”
Deila gets an early idea of the Glasgow goldfish bowl in August 2014.
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“You f****ing have to look at the Champions League and if you see the fitness in the Champions League it's unbelievable - unbelievable! Do you think Andy Murray eats chips? You have to make sacrifices.”
Deila hits back at those who have criticised his emphasis on diet and fitness in October 2014.
“If Van Gaal was coming in and saying all these things you would be sitting there nodding your heads, but I come from Norway and they are only good at skiing.”
The Norwegian defends his methods in the same rant.
“When we got the goal at that time, it was orgasmic. Even better.”
Deila on how much he enjoyed Virgil van Dijk’s last minute winner against Aberdeen at Pittodrie as Celtic leapfrogged Inverness Caledonian Thistle to go top of the Premiership in November 2014.
“Teams from Portugal have reached the final and we can do it in Scotland as well.”
Deila was adamant Celtic could reach the Europa League final ahead of his side’s last 32 match with Inter Milan in February 2015.
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“That incident with Scott was not so bad. He hadn’t done anything wrong because we had the following day off. Yes, he was drunk, but he needed that because he hadn’t done it for a long time. Of course, in a perfect world, he shouldn’t have done it. I’d rather he was drinking champagne because that keeps you lean.”
Deila defends Scott Brown after the Celtic captain was pictured on the ground eating a pizza outside a strip club in Edinburgh just days before the League Cup final in March 2015. What happened to the fast food and fizzy drink ban?
“It is possible to win with less money. I’ve done it before. But if people think like that, they will never beat us, ever. In my experience you have to be unafraid to talk about it. If you say you want to come second, you will be a No.2.”
Deila rebukes his Aberdeen counterpart Derek McInnes for failing to talk up the Pittodrie club’s chances of winning the Premiership in May 2015.
“We didn’t want the ball and looked very frightened and scared.”
Deila savages his players’ performance after Celtic lost 2-0 away to Malmo in August 2015 and failed to qualify for the group stage of the Champions League. He later claimed his poor use of English led an unwise choice of words.
“I like hugs — that’s good.”
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Deila on the cuddle he shared with Kris Commons as the midfielder was substituted against Dundee United at Parkhead in October 2015. The player had reacted angrily to being replaced in a Europa League defeat against Molde in Norway days earlier.
"I will never quit. I don't consider it. This is a fantastic job and I see great opportunities here.”
Deila was defiant in February after defeats to Ross County in the League Cup semi-final and Aberdeen in the Premiership ramped up the pressure.
“You feel as though the police are standing outside your door in the morning, waiting to take you in because you have done something criminal.”
Deila on what the criticism had felt like during that difficult spell.
“Overall, it is my responsibility and if it’s not good enough on the pitch, then it’s not good enough. We can’t expect pity and I can’t either.”
Deila after losing the Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final on Sunday.
“There have been some disappointments and times when we have not achieved what we had hoped for and I'm realistic and honest enough to admit that. I will always be a Celtic supporter.”
Deila on announcing his decision to quit.
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