CELTIC midfielder Stefan Johansen would shun personal accolades in preference for a Treble-winning season.

 

The Norwegian is one of the favourites for this season's Player of the Year award for the manner in which he has been so instrumental in the Celtic midfield, but Johansen would far rather write his name into the history books by playing his part in only the fourth Parkhead side to win a domestic Treble.

Asked if he would prefer a clean sweep this season rather than an individual award, Johansen said: "Yes, I would. Then you know you have done a good season [if you win player of the year] of course, but if I am honest, the most important thing for me is if we can go out there and win the Treble, that will mean the most to me."

Such has been the impression that Johansen has made on Deila's side that the diminutive 24-year-old was handed the captain's armband this week in the absence of Scott Brown. The Celtic captain was suspended for the midweek visit of Partick Thistle and it was the quietly spoken Johansen whom Deila made skipper.

"It's the first time I've had the armband and it was a big honour for me and a big responsibility to take it when Broony was suspended," said Johansen. "But I enjoyed it and I think we did our jobs today, we got the three points and maybe we should have scored more goals but I am happy with the three points."

"To be the Celtic captain is a big honour. It's my first time and it's just a big honour to me and I'm proud to have that for the first time. I think we all need to be leaders out there, and keep talking. I think guys like Virgil [van Dijk] and Nir [Bitton] and Jason [Denayer], everyone, they keep talking. Everbody needs to be a leader.

"It's important that we talk to each other. With the atmosphere, especially at Celtic Park, it is difficult but we just need to try to talk and press."

Having worked with Deila when both men were at Stromsgodset. Johansen has flourished this season under the tutelage of his fellow countryman in Glasgow.

But while he is playing consistently well, he is keen to emphasise that the season is not over yet.

"I am enjoying the football at the moment," he said. "Obviously we keep on winning and things are looking very good for us. We already have one trophy and we want to get two more.

"Now it's at the end of the season and the games are coming quickly. We just need to prepare for every game now, it's a like a cup final in every game we play now. I'm enjoying it."