LEIGH GRIFFITHS praised Ronny Deila – only months after it looked as though the Norwegian was about to give him the boot.
The born-again striker has been vital in Celtic’s run-in to their fourth successive title triumph and has scored 19 goals, including hat-tricks against Kilmarnock and Dundee United last month.
However, there were heavy hints he was heading back to former club Hibs on loan early in the campaign before the player accepted his manager’s challenge.
Griffiths, 24, said: “It wasn’t looking great for me and I spoke to the manager. I knew I had to get my head down and work harder.
“He said that my chance would come and since since the turn of the year it’s been magic and I’ve helped the club win another league.
“The gaffer deserves a lot of credit because things weren’t going our way and some people were wanting him to be sacked.
“But he showed the mentality he has by sticking to his guns and playing the same way as he had done from the start.
“The results came for us and, thankfully, we’ve finished the season as champions.”
