Deila to keep calm amid the pressure

position in the summer. They are unlikely to cause sleepless nights.

“He always dealt well with the pressure during his time in Norway,” said Alexander Aas, the former Stromsgodset defender whom Deila installed as his captain. The pair had previously played together at Odd Grenland and remain friends to this day. “He would focus on the players ahead of the big games and try to settle them down if they seemed nervous. He wouldn’t try to build things up, in fact he would often go the other way and try to relax people. He always felt that football was meant to be fun and he would try to get that message across to the players.

“When you have a big match like Celtic against Rangers, then everyone will expect everything from you. He well be telling the players to forget all that expectation and just focus on what they are going to do. And try to enjoy it. He was always very honest with the players and passionate too. And he never tried to hide that.

“Sometimes when we lost against teams we were expected to beat he got a bit mad but that was because of our attitude in the game. But before the big games he was always calm, sitting down the players and trying to make them less nervous. He can read a situation well and knows how to respond and react to each player individually. Inside, Ronny was maybe excited or even a little bit nervous himself before big games but he always controlled that and turned it into a positive energy.”

Deila was only 32 when he became Stromsgodset manager so it was perhaps natural that he would take time to find his feet. The early years were a struggle but he adapted quickly.

“In the first years he was young but he learned quickly,” added Aas. “He would forever be making small changes to try for improvements, whether it was extra days off if the players seemed tired or having longer training if he felt it was needed. He was building up a culture and trying to develop players so that was always going to take time. In another country like Scotland that is something that will take even longer when you are trying to put across your ideas in a foreign setting.”

Ahead of that cup final appearance six years ago, Deila and his backroom staff took a rather unorthodox approach to relaxing their Stromsgodset players. It is something he is unlikely to repeat in the corridors at Hampden on Sunday but offers a valuable insight into his mentality when it comes to preparing for big matches.

“When we got to the cup final it was the first time for a lot of our players, but we were big favourites,” added Aas. “So a lot of the players were nervous. We got into the dressing room and nobody was really talking. And then we got together for the team meeting just before the game and Ronny and his coaches came out either dressed like Borat (in a mankini) or wearing tiger-print underpants. And then they held the team talk like that. So that helped relax all the players after that and we went on to win the game.”

Aas now works as a recruitment consultant after several years in Stromsgodset’s commercial department where he and Deila would still meet regularly to discuss team matters. So would he recommend Deila to any Norwegian club looking for a manager? “Of course,” he laughs. “But I hope he will stay at Celtic for several more years yet as he is someone who likes to plan for the long-term. I think he has unfinished business there.”

When the prolific Celtic striker performs, his side invariably wins games. When he doesn’t, however, problems can arise.

The League Cup semi-final against Ross County back in January and the goalless draw at Dundee last week were perfect examples of that.

Griffiths’s goals have been vital to the Parkhead club once again this season. Where would they be without them?

Ronny Deila certainly has individuals, such as Kris Commons and Tom Rogic, at his disposal who are capable of netting in big occasions, but a bad day for Griffiths could prove catastrophic for his side.

Rangers have had praise lavished upon them for how they have played under manager Mark Warburton, but the displays of their defence have not always been entirely convincing. At times, in fact, they have been downright awful.

Centre-backs Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson have frequently been at fault for soft goals. In a three-game run against Falkirk, Queen of the South and Raith Rovers last month, Rangers conceded nine times. How, then, will they fare against the most lethal predator in Scotland and the best team in the Ladbrokes Premiership?

Playing Dominic Ball, the on-loan Spurs centre-half, as a holding midfielder has given the Ibrox club far greater defensive solidity, but the full-backs can be a concern, too. James Tavernier has been superb going forward and plundered 14 goals, but he has often been caught out at the back.

The team which wins the midfield battle, the old saying goes, wins the game. Celtic, who will almost certainly field Nir Bitton and Scott Brown there, will go into the game with confidence.

Ball, Andy Halliday and Jason Holt have all performed consistently since arriving at Ibrox last summer, but this will be, by far, the biggest challenge they have faced. How that trio cope with the experienced and physically imposing Israel and Scotland internationalists will effectively determine how their side fares.

Rangers’ leading scorer Martyn Waghorn has been sidelined with a knee injury since February with Harry Forrester now out through a hairline fracture. With Michael O’Halloran and Billy King cup-tied, it leaves Warburton short of options up front.

Much will be asked of the experienced Kenny Miller with Waghorn eager to change Warburton’s mind about his real level of fitness. Celtic, meanwhile, have a concern over Erik Sviatchenko. His involvement will increase Celtic’s chances of success.

Were it not for the late injury to Forrester, Mark Warburton would surely have picked a side containing no real surprises. He has a settled team and gives the impression he knows his best line-up.

At Celtic, that is not so much the case. Who plays just behind Griffiths in the 4-2-3-1 formation that Deila always favours will be crucial to their chances of success.

The Norwegian has chopped and changed who plays there. He must get his team selection spot on this weekend.

Warburton, of course, will also have to show he can adapt in adversity with his attacking options now severely limited.

Which manager, too, will be able to successfully tinker with his formation as the game progresses? It will be fascinating to see who comes out on top.