Deila defends Collins after impolite comments

Hearts boss Robbie Neilson entered the war of words on Tuesday surrounding John Collins’ weekend comments by insisting the Celtic No 2 may have been disrespectful to Scottish football but was right in his assessment of the domestic game.

“It’s something that doesn’t happen to us in Scotland – no disrespect to the other Scottish teams, but they’re not clever enough players or quick enough thinkers to punish us when we do become detached from one another”. But I’ve come on in every game and had an impact.

“You can use it any way you want to but I don’t see any problem at all”. He’s entitled to his opinion but if it was that easy, they would win the treble every year.

McCulloch admits Boyd is a doubt to face Celtic on Wednesday due to an ankle injury but he’s backed the former Rangers man to prove a key player for the Rugby Park men.

“A point would obviously be our first point so that means it would be a good point”, McCulloch told BBC Scotland.

“But it’s a great experience for the young boys playing against the calibre of player Celtic have got just now”.

“I took satisfaction from setting up Tom Rogic for his goal against Partick Thistle and, whether it’s him, me or someone else scoring, if we’re winning then we’re all doing well”.

“We’re losing goals and that’s a struggle because if you’re not keeping goals out and you’re not scoring you’re not going to win any games of football”.

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths aims to make it impossible for Ronny Deila to omit him from Champions League line-ups by netting in the Ladbrokes Premiership.

Griffiths is set to lead the line against Kilmarnock in Wednesday’s Premiership fixture, as well as in Saturday’s game at home to Inverness.

The former Hibernian and Wolves forward is hoping to solidify a starting place ahead of next week’s Champions League play-off match against Malmo.

He said: “My whole game is based on goals and, if I don’t score, then I’m disappointed in myself”. I just took it on the chin when I was left out of the starting line-up for the Champions League games. It’s not often the manager goes with two up front but he’s got attributes I could play off and vice versa.

“It was a long road and at times you get a bit negative”, he told the Celtic website.

McInnes said: “He’s got a lot to say for an assistant manager, to be honest”.

‘I understand what John is saying, that it’s hard for them to prepare for Champions League games.

And Griffiths feels that the Hoops can not afford to miss out on the group stage this season.

“No disrespect to the SPFL but it’s a step up in class”.

“Last season was disappointing for me from a selfish point of view because I wasn’t involved as much as I wanted to be in the first half of the season”.