GLASGOW // Celtic manager Ronny Deila says consistency in team selection is key if his side are to progress and improve on their shaky start to the Scottish Premiership season.
The Norwegian came in for criticism after making 10 changes for the defeat to Inverness last month while he rested several first team stars as more points were dropped in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Motherwell.
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Celtic sit in fourth place in the table with just three wins from their opening six matches.
However, following their 3-0 win over Hearts in the League Cup on Wednesday Deila has vowed to end his tinkering in a bid to help propel the defending champions up the table.
“The first time it was 10 changes, then six last Sunday. It is too much but it is not what we wanted, it was what we needed to do,” said Deila.
“We want to have more consistency in the team, that will make us play quicker and better.”
But ahead of their match away to St Mirren on Saturday, Deila warned his players that this didn’t mean any of them were guaranteed a place in his side.
“You have to work every day in training and in matches. That is competition,” the Celtic manager added.
“I was very pleased with the team against Hearts. We still need to work to get better relations and tempo but we are progressing.
“We have a lot of matches in the league still.
“Take away the game in Inverness where we changed a lot, we have had some good wins.
“We beat Aberdeen and Dundee United but I am not pleased, I want even more and you will see us progress and progress during the season and the fans will be happy.”
Next up for the Glasgow giants are St Mirren, who sit second bottom with just three points so far and Deila hopes his side can use the match to build on their win in midweek.
“We go into matches knowing that if we are performing at 100 per cent then it is very hard to beat us,” the 39-year-old said.
“So I am really looking forward to this game to build on what we did against Hearts.
“There are so many games to come. We know our tasks and goals, that has been clear from the start and that has not changed.”
Elsewhere, top of the table Dundee United, fresh from back-to-back defeats of rivals Dundee, will look to build on their good start when they take on St Johnstone at Tannadice.
After being knocked out of the League Cup in midweek, Motherwell have a chance for some instant revenge as they host Hamilton in the Lanarkshire derby at Fir Park.
Ross County will attempt to pick up their first points of the season as they welcome Dundee to Victoria Park. Aberdeen could break into the top six with a win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle while Kilmarnock take on Partick Thistle at Rugby Park.
Fixtures (in UAE time)
Saturday
St Mirren v Celtic, 1.45pm
Aberdeen v Inverness CT, 6pm
Dundee United v St Johnstone, 6pm
Kilmarnock v Partick Thistle, 6pm
Motherwell v Hamilton, 6pm
Ross County v Dundee, 6pm
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