AHEAD of tomorrow's League Cup final against Dundee United, Ronny Deila has reiterated his belief that Celtic can complete a domestic clean sweep this season.
Deila has eschewed tradition by speaking openly about winning the treble in his maiden campaign as Celtic manager, believing it would be "boring" to aim for anything less. Celtic are strong favourites to win their first League Cup in six years, are six points clear at the top of the SPFL Premiership, and face United again on Wednesday in a William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-final replay.
Celtic have won the treble only three times in their history and not since 2001 when Martin O'Neill swept the board in his first year in charge. Deila, though, sees no reason not to shoot for the stars as he looks to join O'Neill and Jock Stein in Celtic folklore.
"I learned at Stromsgodset that if say you are satisfied to be number six then you will come sixth," he said. "If you say that you only want to get to the cup final then you lose the cup final. You have to say you want to win the league or League Cup. You have to reach for something.
"It's in your head mentally. This club is so big and has such a good team that [the treble] is possible. If I didn't think it was possible I wouldn't say it. But I know it's possible and that's why I set high goals and make high demands.
"What's the worst thing that can happen? That you don't reach your goals? I can say I am happy to win one title this year and reach a goal. But that's boring.
"You can say something else, but everybody knows the demands of this club. I have said that all season and there is so much hard work and so many games but we have a good chance to win a trophy on Sunday and we have prepared for that."
Deila's 15 year-old twin daughters will travel over from Norway for the final, having stood among the Celtic fans at Pittodrie earlier in the season when Deila first showcased "The Ronny Roar", his post-match fist-pumping celebration in front of the supporters.
"I have to be fair with them," Deila smiled. "They were at the Aberdeen game, away, standing with the supporters. It was a crazy experience for them. They just said that the supporters were crazy and they don't watch the football match. They smelled [of] smoke and beers!"
Having once stripped down to his underwear after saving Stromsgodset from relegation, Deila suspects he may have embarrassed his daughters on numerous occasions.
"They are used to it. They've seen their father doing stupid things before. They are 15 years old and they are probably a little embarrassed about that. They were there when I took off my clothes after that game. We were sitting on the couch the day after that game, watching it on television. It was not a great sight! If we win on Sunday you can expect a good celebration with the others. But I will not take off my clothes."
Celtic, meanwhile, chose not to comment on a report that alleged captain Scott Brown had been "drunk" four days before the final.
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