RONNY Deila has confirmed that Celtic will base themselves in Lennoxtown for the duration of their Champions League preparations and backed his current stars such as Leigh Griffiths to fire them into the group stages.
Some pre-seasons in recent times have consisted of them jetting to the other side of the world and unveiling a horde of new signings but the Norwegian plans to break the mould this summer.
Instead, he is planning three low-key matches in Scotland, though not necessarily at Celtic Park, and punishing training-ground work in the shadow of the Campsies, all commencing on June 24, to get themselves in trim for the beginning of continental qualifying games in mid-July.
"Yes, that is quite clear," he said. "We will be based here in Glasgow, I think, and we are going to have three games here before qualification."
Ever since Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink left the club, there has been a perennial search for a physically- imposing striker at Parkhead. With John Guidetti likely to move on this summer, and Amido Balde and Stefan Scepovic failing to look the part, it is a position the club may strengthen during the summer, but Deila has placed his belief in Griffiths carrying his sparkling form into the European arena. "Leigh has had much more playing time in recent months," Deila said. "He is more comfortable and more confident. He has been doing a lot of good things and working in the right way. He also hasn't been any problem to me off the pitch. Well, maybe apart from eating a cake! That's been the worst thing.
"I trust him. I really believe he can do it in European football. I trust all my players. The team have developed and this team can take us into the Champions League. Maybe we can add one or two players but, remember, players sometimes need time to get into the team. So, we will keep working with the players we have and try to develop them further." Deila, who gave short shrift to claims from his countryman, and Malmo coach, Age Hareide that the Swedish champions are a better side than Celtic ("I'd be very disappointed if we didn't beat those sort of teams," he said) also hinted that the club were losing patience with Scepovic.
"He's still a project," said Deila. "We have to work on that. There has been tough competition and he hasn't had so many chances. We have to look into that and try to improve these things . . . but in the end, if people are not improving, then maybe I am doing something wrong or maybe he is doing something wrong."
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