Ronny Deila's Celtic Era Finally Takes off

A 5-0 win for Celtic against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership is barely remarkable.  However, for Ronny Deila it was a result which was simply essential.

As attention returned to domestic matters following the international break, the spotlight in Scottish football was firmly on the Celtic manger.

Hamilton Academical's first win at Celtic Park since 1938 before that break left Celtic languishing in sixth position in the Scottish Premiership.  Earning only four wins in their opening eight league games made it their worst start to a league campaign since Dr Jozef Venglos led a trophy-less season in 1998/99.

Early domestic inconsistencies coupled with not one but two Champions League qualifying disasters have seen intense scrutiny of Neil Lennon’s replacement in the Celtic dugout.  Scrutiny has has extended to Deila’s reportedly strict diet, which he implemented on his squad.

Norwegian Deila’s relaxed attitude to the Hamilton defeat also came in for strong criticism, which only served to add to growing pressure.  A defeat to Ross County in Dingwall, a venue were Celtic had only won once in their three previous visits, was therefore unthinkable for Deila.

However on-loan striker John Guidetti’s fourth goal in six games after just 11 minutes put Deila at ease in the early Saturday kickoff.  Callum McGregor, Anthony Stokes and Jason Denayer then all netted before half-time to bury any thoughts of a full-scale crisis at Celtic Park.  Stokes struck again in the second half to complete the rout and leave Deila, as he told BBC Scotland post mactch, "delighted."

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Stefan Johansen's display was also be a reason for cheer for the Celtic boss.  The midfielder, fresh from his manager-tackling exploits for Norway, has been a consistent performer since his move to Glasgow, but displayed a wonderful range of passing, which was instrumental in the vital win.

Returning experienced players such Mikael Lustig and Charlie Mulgrew to the first team also provided heightened competition for places and gives Deila increased options with a busy schedule ahead.

New striker Stefan Scepovic’s failure to open his account yet again following his second-half introduction and an injury to Honduran fullback Emilo Izaguirre were the only real negatives in one of the best results of Deila’s fledgling Celtic managerial career.  

It is a result which should now launch Celtic’s season.  With a run of four home games in three different competitions upcoming, there now is a now a great opportunity to find some much-needed consistency.

A Europa League tie against Romanian side Astra offers the first chance to build on the important league win. The Hoops have four points from their opening two fixtures, and victory on Match Day 3 would place them in a strong position to progress from a tricky group which includes Austrian champions Salzburg and Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.

A turbulent start to life at Celtic for Deila may soon be forgotten should they find that so-far elusive consistency.

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