Celtic midfielder Nir Biton hopes he has finally proven himself to Ronny Deila after being forced to fight his way back into the Hoops line-up for the second time in a year.

The Israel international was just a handful of games into his Parkhead career as 2014 got under way 12 months ago.

But the former FC Ashdod player soon became an integral part of Neil Lennon's team before a groin injury picked up on international duty ruled him out for the final 10 weeks of the campaign.

Lennon predicted a bright future for Biton but when the Northern Irishman quit his Hoops post in the summer, it meant the 23-year-old was forced to start all over again under Deila.

However, after playing a bit part in the early part of the season, Biton has now racked up six successive starts and believes he has finally convinced the Norwegian of his worth.

He told the Celtic View: "It was a good process for me. In life, you always have the things that make you strong and these experiences just make me stronger.

"Last year, I got in the team and had some good games and then I got the injury. At the end of the season, we got a new manager and I had to prove myself to him. I had to train hard, as what you did last year meant nothing because you have to do new things for him.

"Every manager has different expectations and what I did for Lenny was deleted when the new manager came in.

"I spoke with him last month and he explained what he expected of me and I have tried to do it in the best way I can and I hope it continues like that.

"My first year in Scotland and I was just trying to settle in - the weather, the football, the way everyone wanted me to play. This season I am calmer, more settled. I know what everyone expects of me, I try to train hard and I just want to have success at Celtic."