RONNY DEILA admitted he was happy to win ugly in the 3-1 victory over Inverness Caley Thistle at the storm-lashed Tulloch Stadium this afternoon.
The Celtic boss won for the first time away from home against John Hughes’ line-up and was delighted to take the three points back to Parkhead.
He said: “Yes, it was very pleasing, but we didn’t play very well. Of course, it wasn’t easy because it is just two-and-a-half days since we played a European match, then travelling up here and they are a tough team to play against.
“They always work for 90 minutes and want to play. So, it was very good that we won and to get three points. I was proud of the boys and the way they did it.
“It’s all about winning. But it’s also important to play good, attractive football. Today, we did not do that.
“However, sometimes you just have to do the hard work and get the result. And then get back to Glasgow!”
Asked what he thought of Leigh Griffith’s admission he was at fault for the Europa League defeat against Ajax on Thursday, Deila responded: “I don’t think he should apologise for anything.
“He works very hard for this team and he has won so many games for us this year.
“And if he has one game where he doesn’t put the ball in the net, then we have to accept that sometimes. It happens to the best players. He is there when we need him.”
Carlton Cole came on for his first Hoops appearance on the hour mark to play up front alongside Griffiths, who netted his 19th goal of the season when he knocked in the second.
Deila admitted he would think about starting the pair at some point in the future if he believed the situation warranted it.
He added: “We need to have more pressure on the opponents to see if it can be successful.
“It wasn’t easy today because we didn’t control the game even when we had the ball.”
Cole was instrumental in the killer third goal although it will probably go down as an og by Thistle defender Danny Devine. Callum McGregoir gave the Hoops an eighth-minute lead before Miles Storey levelled before half-time.
Celtic are now seven points ahead of Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership.
