PAT BONNER, the former Celtic goalkeeper, believes Ronny Deila must at last improve his team’s European offerings this season if he is to be allowed another crack at the Champions League.
Since the Norwegian took over from Neil Lennon in the summer of 2014, the Parkhead club have failed to reach the group stage of Europe’s premier competition after being knocked out last year by Maribor before Swedish side Malmo inflicted a play-off defeat this campaign. Since then, their pursuits across the continent in the Europa League have yet to see Deila’s team record a win, with draws against Ajax and Fenerbahce being accentuated by a bruising and convincing 3-1 reverse away to Molde last Thursday.
That result in Norway has caused many to question the progression of the team under the 40-year-old that currently sit four points clear of Aberdeen in the Ladbrokes Premiership. Bonner is one of them. And the ex-Republic of Ireland believes that improvement in Europe – measured ultimately in progression from Group A of the Europa League – must be a high priority for Deila, along with retaining both the Premiership and the League Cup – if those in charge are to keep faith in him ahead of another Champions League qualification attempt.
“If he gets out of this Europa League group and wins another double then I think he will [be given another chance,” said Bonner. “Why would you cut him adrift? However, if he can’t do either of those things then it’s going to be very difficult for him. That’s what he’ll be judged on.
"I don’t think that they’re getting better in Europe, though. The evidence is there to say that they haven’t progressed but I don’t think it would take a lot to change that.
“Europe’s been a big disappointment in many ways, there’s no question about that. Unfortunately for Celtic managers now, compared to my day, getting into the Champions League is the benchmark. That’s the ultimate goal and if you don’t get there then you’ve got to do well in the Europa League - get out of the group at least.
“They still have a chance and I think Celtic have probably played better against the better teams, as they seemed to do against Inter Milan last year so they still have an opportunity.
“So they’ve got three big games now. Molde at home is a must and there is no reason why they can’t beat all of those teams.”
The first of those three games arrives tomorrow evening, with a trip to Tynecastle to face Hearts in the League Cup quarter-final looming large.
“Wednesday night is a very tough game for them. Hearts’ confidence is high again and they are a physically strong side,” added Bonner. “I always enjoyed the great atmosphere at Tynecastle as a player and it was always hard to go there and get a result.
“But Celtic will have been boosted by that win at the weekend and I’m hoping that they’ve put that performance in Molde behind them. Will they change and adapt against Hearts? Probably not. They’ll have to defend well but they should have enough to reach the semi-finals.”
Pat Bonner was promoting a new Ladbrokes ’Track Your Acca’ app which allows punters to track their bets and cash out on the go - for full details log on to thegrid.ladbrokes.com
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