RONNY DEILA has told Nadir Ciftci to follow the example of Scott Allan as he attempts to break into the Celtic first team.
The Turkish striker was bought for £1.3million from Dundee United in the summer and looked like being the recognised attack leader.
However, Ciftci has dropped down the pecking order with Leigh Griffiths hitting form and claiming 19 goals so far in a prolific campaign.
And the 23-year-old frontman remained on the subs’ bench with new Bhoy Carlton Cole coming on for the last half-hour of the 3-1 win over Inverness Caley Thistle on Sunday.
Allan, signed from Hibs in August, also came off the bench during the second-half and impressed with his range of passing, setting up Kieran Tierney to fire over the cross that led to Griffiths putting Celtic into the lead for a second time.
Deila said: “Nadir’s situation is how it is at big clubs. There is always going to be competition.
“You have to show every day in training and in every match, whether you start or get on, that you are ready – like Scott Allan did at the weekend.“Nadir has to speak with this feet and the same can be said about every player.
“We talk all the time. He knows we want him to work hard and he must always look to improve. We know he has the talent.
“I know it must be hard for Nadir to watch Leigh scoring all his goals at the moment, but he has to be ready when he does get on.”
Ciftci has scored only two goals in his 17 appearances since his move from Tannadice.
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