Celtic manager Ronny Deila during the UEFA Europa League match against Molde.

AFP/Glasgow


Celtic manger Ronny Deila has called for more consistency from his defence as they prepare to make the trip north to face Ross County today.
The Hoops slumped to a second successive Europa League defeat on Thursday as Molde left Celtic Park with a 2-1 victory that leaves Deila’s side bottom of Group A.
It was the fourth match in a row in the competition that Celtic have conceded two goals and Deila wants to see more character from his side in defensive situations.
“Some of the same things are coming up,” the Celtic manager said.
“We produced a lot of chances. I counted nine big chances and we scored one goal. That’s something we can improve but we gave them two very easy goals, and when you concede easy goals you make things more difficult.
“We have to have much more character and more aggression inside the box to clear away chances.”
Deila insists his side has the talent but, after a host of changes to key personnel over the summer, must be given time to gel.
“We can fix that but there has been inconsistency. We have changed the back four a lot. There is a lot of talent but when you haven’t played together it’s hard to get to know each other,” the Hoops boss added.
“After Molde away we had two central defenders that played three games together and they played well together.
“Last year we had two central defenders who played together the whole season and we broke the record for fewest goals conceded in Scottish football.
“We’ve lost them so we have to build up a partnership again. Jozo Simunovic has been out with injury then came back and looked better.
“Now, in Europe you get punished more than you do in Scotland but when you create nine chances you should also score more so it’s two ways here.”
Celtic, who have a six-point lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership, could potentially extend their advantage with a victory in Dingwall against Ross County.
However, midfielder Stuart Armstrong is aware that a better performance will be needed in the Highlands than the one witnessed at Celtic Park on Thursday against Molde.
“We need to remain optimistic in these situations,” Armstrong said.
“We have a game against Ross County at the weekend and it’s a different game and different competition and all we can do is try to bounce back and make sure we put in a good performance there.”

Inverness manager hints
at longer stay
John Hughes expects to remain Inverness CT manager “for a good few years” but has urged his chairman and agent to engage in discussions.
The 51-year-old is contracted until the end of the season and has been considering a new deal.
“It’s not a problem,” Hughes told BBC Scotland.
“One simple thing. They need to talk to each other. The chairman [Kenny Cameron] and my agent, Raymond Sparks, need to talk to each other.”
Hughes has been in charge of the Highlanders for two years and guided the Premiership club to their first major trophy in last season’s Scottish Cup final, when they beat Falkirk 2-1.
He was linked with Dundee United following Jackie McNamara’s departure from Tannadice but Inverness rejected an approach from the Tangerines and Mixu Paatelainen was subsequently appointed by the Taysiders.
“When you want contracts to get done, you have to communicate,” Hughes added.
“I’ve always been content at Inverness. It’s been great for me. I enjoy it, I love working with this bunch of players and I’m quite sure once they get talking, it’ll get done but they need to start talking.
“I don’t know if there’s been a lack of communication and not getting texts or messages but they need to start talking and hopefully that’ll get done this week. If that is the case and everything’s agreed then I’d like to think I’ll be at Inverness for a good few years.”