Deila said: “They’re closer because they played very well when they came on. That’s the way to do it – show in training and in matches that they want to be part of the team.
“But it’s stupid to change the whole team when we’re building up momentum. But it’s good for me to know we have players on the bench coming on.
“There are others who didn’t come on at the weekend who can do good things. We are a team and we have three games in nine days.”
Deila also insisted Carlton Cole still has a future at the Hoops – despite the former England striker not featuring since coming on as a substitute in the 8-1 win over Hamilton at Parkhead over a month ago.
The gaffer added: “He’s had some small issues with his knee, but he’s solved that so he can train more consistently, as well. He’s improving and that’s positive, but he still has a bit to go, in my opinion.”
Asked about speculation that Cole would move on in the summer, Deila replied: “That’s news to me. It’s hard to say. All these things come into consideration all the time. He wants to play here and we want to get the best out of him.”
SELECT THREE CELTIC PLAYERS TO PLAY IN ATTACKING MIDFIELD POSITIONS AGAINST HAMILTON ON FRIDAY EVENING
- SCOTT ALLAN (86%, 1,066 Votes)
- PATRICK ROBERTS (75%, 929 Votes)
- RYAN CHRISTIE (65%, 808 Votes)
- KRIS COMMONS (34%, 418 Votes)
- GARY MACKAY-STEVEN (16%, 195 Votes)
- STUART ARMSTRONG (11%, 132 Votes)
- STEFAN JOHANSEN (9%, 118 Votes)
- CALLUM McGREGOR (3%, 35 Votes)
- JAMES FORREST (2%, 22 Votes)
Total Voters: 1,245
