Anders tips Deila to carry Bhoys to glory

NORWEGIAN international Anders Konradsen says Ronny Deila can make Celtic a regular fixture in the Champions League group stages. The midfielder became Stromsgodset’s record sale when he quit for Rennes two years ago.

And, after a second- half appearance in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat for the French side at Parkhead, the 25- year- old described Deila’s coaching abilities as ‘special’.

‘The way I know him from my two years, I know the way he thinks and I believe he is capable of doing what he says,’ explained Konradsen.

‘ Ronny has said he can develop players and Celtic into a Champions League team.

‘It’s a bigger club and there is more pressure, but this is the way he works and if anyone can do it, it is him.

‘ It’s hard for me to say whether he is a Champions League coach, but I feel he has the ability to be at that level.

‘ He definitely has t he possibility to become one.

‘I always had the feeling there was something special about him as a coach.

‘It was his intensity in the way he coaches.

‘It is focus, concentration, his presence at every session every day.

‘He makes progress with teams and individuals and, as a team, you really felt you were developing.

Konradsen joined Stromsgodset from Molde in 2011. He worked under Deila for just two seasons before earning a big money move to Rennes.

And he admitted his time bei ng co a c hed by t he Parkhead boss has led to him becoming the type of player he is today.

‘Deila sold me to Rennes after buying me,’ he added. ‘I had really good development under his coaching in the two years.

‘It was an important step in my career as he taught me a lot of things which I have carried with me ever since. I owe him a lot.

‘Maybe it was a surprise to the people of Norway when he became Celtic manager because it is a big step up from the Norwegian league.

‘I don’t t hi nk people expected it but, at the same time, they also knew he was a very good coach. ‘At the time, it felt like a big step, but a right step.’