JOHN Collins reckons that criticism of Ronny Deila is only making the Celtic manager stronger. The Norwegian has been subjected to sustained questioning over his handling of team affairs from media, former players and fans in the wake of the League Cup semi-final defeat to Ross County but his assistant manager feels his ability to remain calm in the eye of the storm remains one of his main assets.
"I think it is a huge strength of his," said Collins. "He has handled it really well. He’s chilled. He’s been very, very calm. He knows it comes with the territory. We aren’t going to change it so you just have to go with the flow. If you let it get to you, eat away at you and get angry it is no good for anyone. It is better we get it than the players.
"I think as every month goes by you get stronger, you know what is coming, you know how to deal with situations," he added. "You learn from experiences. No-one likes getting criticism, everyone likes getting praise. But you get used to it."
Collins admits the entire backroom team is feeling the strain, but would also share the plaudits. "He is up front, taking it on the chin and having to face you guys, but we all feel it with him," said Collins. "We are together. But we get the rewards together too, when we are picking up cups and leagues."
Tom Boyd, an official club ambassador and Celtic media regular, took issue with the critics when he hit out at the "hysteria" about Deila being sacked and Collins said he was grateful for the support. “I think a common theme this year has been a little bit of flak coming our way from ex-players," said Collins. "But that comes with the territory, we know that. It was nice of Tommy to come out and rebalance it, by saying something positive. We thank him for it, it was nice for an ex-player to be very supportive and we definitely appreciate that.”
Aberdeen visit Partick Thistle tonight hoping to move level on points with the SPFL Champions, albeit having played two games more ahead of Celtic's home meeting with Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Saturday. Collins would "rather win by 17 points" than one but the main thing is celebrating the club's fifth successive top flight title this summer. "We want to win it, first and foremost,the points total doesn't matter too much," said Collins. "Aberdeen have had an exceptional season so they deserve all the credit they are getting."
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