Football
PA Sport 9y

Celtic boss Ronny Deila eyeing next season after sealing title

Ronny Deila secured his first Scottish Premiership title as Celtic boss then immediately looked to repeat the feat next season.

Dundee United's 1-0 win over nearest challengers Aberdeen at Tannadice rendered the Hoops uncatchable at the top of the table, 11 points clear with three games remaining and they will travel to Pittodrie next Sunday with their fourth consecutive championship in the bag.

Deila who returned to Norway after Friday night's 5-0 thrashing of Dundee at Parkhead to attend his twin daughters' confirmation, told Celtic's official website: "We have achieved a big thing -- winning the league for the fourth time -- and hopefully there will be more and more.

"Defensively we have been unbelievable the whole season and we have hardly conceded a goal. Offensively we have been getting better and we scored five beautiful goals against Dundee on Friday night.

"We have worked so hard for this and finally we are there and can start thinking of next season. There is always high pressure here and I put high demands on myself as well.

"Today we just have to enjoy it and be happy that we are champions. I'm happy with a lot of the work we have done and we are going to enjoy this night and show we are champions next Sunday."

Hoops skipper Scott Brown added on the official Celtic website: "It's been a great season for all the lads.

"We started off quite sloppy under a new manager, but we've just kicked on and went from strength to strength.

"Everyone was talking about Aberdeen catching us but we've been under no pressure and we just had to keep winning and that's what we've done.

"We've showed our class on the pitch and we've played great football at points as well, and this squad is just getting stronger and stronger.

"The manager wants to play football and we enjoy that. I think the fans are enjoying that too because they're coming out in their thousands week in, week out."

Chief executive Peter Lawwell praised Deila for his first season's work since taking over from Neil Lennon last summer and is looking for the Parkhead club to add further titles.

"We are the champions and I'm absolutely delighted for everyone at the club -- Ronny, his backroom staff, the supporters, the players," he said.

"It's a fantastic achievement and that's what we set out to do at the beginning of the season -- we set out to win the league and in his first year he's done it.

"So I'm delighted for everybody. It's four-in-a-row and hopefully we can add to that in the coming seasons."

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