RONNY Deila is optimistic Jozo Simunovic will be available for Celtic's crucial Europa League match with Molde despite the Croatian centre half limping off towards the end of the 3-1 win over Aberdeen yesterday.

However, Deila has confirmed that Scott Brown, who suffered a knee injury in the warm-up before the League Cup quarter-final with Hearts on Wednesday night, will miss the Group A game as had been widely expected.

Simunovic, who had performed well in the heart of the Scottish champions' backline in their comfortable victory over their nearest league rivals, was replaced by Efe Ambrose.

Ambrose performed poorly in the Europea League games against Fenerbahce and Molde and most Celtic supporters would prefer the Nigerian internationalist not to be involved on Thursday night.

Deila, whose side is now six points clear of Hearts following their win over Aberdeen, is hopeful the player he bought for £5.5 million in the summer transfer window will be available.

"I haven’t heard anything, but it looks like he (Simunovic) sprinted to the end," said Deila. "It was a cramp or something I think. He hasn’t played so many games and now he has played three games in nine days so I think and hope it is only a cramp to now he will be ready for Thursday."

Meanwhile, Deila has backed Celtic to cope with the absence of Brown against his Norwegian countrymen next week and get the result which resurrects their chances of progressing to the last 32.

Stefan Johansen took over from his skipper in the Ladbrokes Premiership match with Aberdeen at Parkhead yesterday and performed well in a comfortable victory.

"You always want Scott Brown in your team," he said. "The injury is not major so there is every possibility he will be back after the national team break.

"If we keep on performing the way we did today we will be alright. We have players here who can do a job as well. I have a good group of players."

Meanwhile, Deila revealed his "Ronny Roar" - when he punches the air in front of the fans following a victory - will return in future despite not doing it at the end of the game yesterday.

"That will come back," he said. "There are a lot of emotions now. I am happy. It is easier when you are playing away because then you don’t have to go around the whole stadium."