CELTIC boss Ronny Deila has been praised – by Hearts gaffer Robbie Neilson!
The Norwegian came under fire after the Hoops lost their third Premiership game of 2015, when they collapsed 2-1 to Motherwell on Saturday.
Neilson’s Edinburgh outfit take on the champions at Tynecastle on Sunday and the rival manager has sympathy for Deila’s situation.
He said: “There is always that constant pressure and I think Ronny has handled himself well.
“It is part and parcel of the job at big clubs like Celtic that there is always someone trying to put pressure on you.
“Celtic is a team that is used to playing under pressure, a team that is used to having to get results and Sunday is no different.
“They will come with the same mentality as they always do, no matter if they have been beat the week before or they have not been beat.”
Neilson is looking forward to what is traditionally a feisty fixture between two of Scotland’s fiercest rivals.
He said: “Aberdeen, ourselves and Celtic are three teams that pull the biggest crowds so it is a big game and one that players want to be involved in. It is sold-out again which is great.
“It is important that the two teams put on a show, the first 20 minutes will be quite intense and hopefully we will start playing a bit of football after that.”
Hearts have not won any of their last four matches, but have drawn three of those games, and the former defender is relaxed about the prospect of facing the Hoops.
He added: “We haven’t picked up the points we would have liked recently, but the performances have been good.
“The players are in good condition and starting to play a bit more football than they have been recently and we would like to carry that into Sunday.”
