Celtic Will Learn From Mistakes, Insists Deila
Celtic manager Ronny Deila insists his side will learn from their mistakes after the Glasgow giants were knocked out of the Europa League.
The Hoops exited the competition at the group stage following a 2-1 home defeat to Ajax on Thursday night that leaves them rooted to the bottom of Group A without a win.
It has been a disappointing campaign for Deila's side who have picked up just two points from five games.
However, the Scottish champions continue to dominate on the domestic front and have a six-point advantage over Hearts at the top of the Premiership to go with a place in the last four of the League Cup.
Despite their early European exit, Deila, whose side face a trip to take on Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Sunday, insists the lessons learned by his squad will stand them in good stead in their quest for a domestic treble and a place in next year's Champions League qualifying rounds.
"I see that we are younger and there are a lot of players that haven't played so much at this level," the Celtic manager said.
"I see a lot of talent that will develop and learn from these games, but if you see the results it's not the same as last year.
"Having said that the group is better this year than last year and we deserved more this year than last year, but in the Inter Milan games (last season) we were a little bit better and that's the level we have to get up to next year.
"It is small details that will get us through and next year everybody knows what we want -– to get into the Champions League.
"We buy talent and players who can be Champions League players. Nobody comes in and is a Champions League player in the first game. You have to develop them through time and we're going to be ready next year.
"That's the message to all the fans and that's the task I have and everyone at the club has.
"I know it is small details. We could see a lot of good spells today (Thursday) but we need to be good in these small details to win games. That's very close but it's not good enough right now."
The Hoops are unbeaten in eight league games but were held to a goalless draw at home by Kilmarnock last weekend.
They could find their lead at the top cut to three points by the time they face Inverness in the Highlands on Sunday if Hearts can defeat Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday.
Deila will be without a number of key players for the match due to injury including captain Scott Brown and midfielder Charlie Mulgrew, who limped out of the match against Ajax at Celtic Park.
Aberdeen, in third coming into the weekend, are at home to Ross County, while Kilmarnock entertain Partick Thistle and bottom club Dundee United entertain Hamilton Academical.
Former Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg, West Ham United and Ivory Coast defender Guy Demel could make his United debut and the Tangerines are also awaiting international clearance for Florent Sinama-Pongolle, the ex-Liverpool and Atletico Madrid frontman.
Source: Agence France Presse
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