RONNY Deila ignores criticism of his management and his team from ex-players but has admitted he was "a big mouth" himself while working in the Norwegian media.
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton lacerated the club's display after the 2-1 Europa League group game win over Romanians Astra Giurgiu on Thursday. In his role as a pundit on BT Sport he said they were not good enough and that striker Stefan Scepovic was "powderpuff".
Sutton has been outspoken about Deila before this season and managers tend to bristle when they are criticised by former players, believing they should be more understanding given they know the pressures and stress of the job.
But Deila was entirely relaxed and philosophical yesterday, insisting that he had neither heard nor read any of the negative media coverage. He also said he had been lippy himself in the media when he was younger, and had been controversial for the sake of it.
"Opinions in football are fun; it's good to have them. That's why football is so fantastic because everyone has an opinion and every fan loves it. They are tense and looking forward to the game and sometimes you just get so happy with the players and sometimes so irritated. That's how it is. I have been a big mouth myself before. Back home, I was talking in big words about how Norwegian football should be. I didn't have a newspaper column, although I could have had if I wanted.
"You have to understand the different roles. I worked in the media as well. You don't always say what you think, you say what will sell. You have to use bigger words than you really mean. There is always a difference between them. If you want headlines, you have to go for the big ones. I have respect for that, it's no problem.
"I upset a few other managers in Norway with things I said. I had a lot of arguments. But I was young. I understand the rules now: talk about yourself and your club; that's the most important thing. I can handle the critics no problem, but if I don't see the answer, then my brain is starting to work. It's hard at the start.
"There are tough times and good times - we are going up and down all the time right now. But that's part of the job. I haven't seen so much from the critics as I try to avoid anything like that. But I know that at every big club you get this. In the end it's about winning trophies. That's my goal. That's what I've said all the time."
Celtic have won five of their last six
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