I always say we’ll bewinners... if I say we’ll be second, we will end up there
IN Scottish football, sticking one’s head a bove the parapet is tantamount to committing a heinous crime. Publicly, at least, we are continually asked to believe that a team’s ambition stretches no further than taking it ‘one game at a time’.
If the bravery pills have been consumed that morning, the prospect of a top-six finish or a decent cup run might just be countenanced.
Steven Pressley, who will watch two of his former clubs battle it out at Celtic Park this afternoon, can testify to the perils of trying to change that tiresome narrative.
Upon being appointed Falkirk manager in 2010, he felt the wrath of the ‘Largs Mafia’ for having the temerity to say that the Bairns would not be relegated under his watch.
When their fate was sealed by drawing at Kilmarnock on the final day of the season, the desire to see Pressley eat humble pie in public was remarkable.
‘So I’ve got a little bit of egg on my face today,’ he shrugged. ‘ So what?’
Pressley’s courage i n such circumstances may have been admirable, but it hardly proved the signal for the vast majority of alleged footballing personalities in this country to come out from behind the sofa.
In that regard, Ronny Deila’s public proclamations since becoming Celtic manager have made for a refreshing change.
Last year, despite being new to the Scottish scene, the Norwegian refused to shy away from his belief that Celtic could and would win the Treble.
That they came up just short — primarily due to a refereeing blunder in the Scottish Cup semi-final with Inverness Caley Thistle — was of no consequence to him.
For all that so many in his shoes would shy away from stating what is the blindingly obvious for fear it might cast a banana skin in their path, Delia’s view of what is possible this season remains unaltered.
‘I haven’t changed,’ he stated. ‘I will always say that is our goal at a club like this. I’ll always say we are going to win the league. Because if you say you are going to be No 2, you will be No 2.
‘I always set high goals and there is no changing that. But you saw last year how close we were to the Treble and it was small details that can ruin it.
‘Last season, it was a decision in the Scottish Cup semi-final which was very important. But maybe we also had some luck with us in other games, like against Dundee United earlier. It can happen both ways.
‘It is so hard to win the Treble but it is possible to do it because it has been done before. We can win every game we are going into, that’s a good feeling. That’s in Europe as well.’
Just because Deila believes a domestic clean sweep is a possibility, he is under no illusions as to the difficulty in achieving it.
Only three times in Celtic’s history — 1967, 1969 and 2001 — has the Treble been won.
‘You only need to look at history to see how hard it is,’ added Deila. ‘We just have to be focused and determined in every game.
‘If you give just 10-per-cent less, you can lose games and lose the Treble. You see it in England, Spain or Scotland — wherever you go.
‘Football is about small margins. Everything can happen if you are not switched on.
‘There was a lot of talk about the Treble last year. I’ve said the whole time that we want to win everything. It’s our goal but we know it’s hard.’
If anything, this season’s task l ooks even more arduous. An improved Rangers side will doubtless have something to say about the destination of the Scottish Cup, while Celtic have a genuine title challenge from an Aberdeen side already five points clear at the top of the table.
While Deila recognises that the Dons’ perfect start has added an edge to his own team’s games, he feels that motivation should always come from within.
‘ That’s true, but you should already have it in your head and body that you want an improvement.
‘Again, I want to win the league. If we win it by 40 points, I’d rather do that than not win it.
‘It’s not about Aberdeen. It’s about us — we have to perform.
‘I don’t care about what they are doing. I only care about what I can do something about — and that’s my team.
‘We work hard to improve all the players and confront them with the things we need to improve on as a team and as individuals.
‘We are fighting in Europe as well, so we have to use every second to get better. The level in Europe is very high and it’s positive that the Scottish l evel i s also getting better.
‘That means there can be small differences when you play a European game.’
Hearts’ first league visit to Celtic Park in two years promises to be compelling viewing.
Last season, as a Championship club, Robbie Neilson’s side shipped three goals at Parkhead in the League Cup and four on home soil in the Scottish Cup.
But having subsequently won promotion and now sitting third in the Premiership, Deila is anticipating a more taxing afternoon.
‘Hearts have improved a lot,’ he said. ‘ When they got relegated, they started to play quite a young team. Then they got more experience and won almost every game in the Championship.
‘They took a lot of confidence from that and got their crowd on their side. There are a lot of people in the stadium for every game they play and a lot of enthusiasm.
‘They have a good energy at the club and that can take them even further. They have done a good job managing the club, bringing in players who make them even better and have a style of play that can dominate games.
‘You can see from their results so far this season that they will be at the top end of the table.’ For Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon, the fact his former club ended a minor slump with a dramatic League Cup win at Kilmarnock in midweek adds spice to today’s encounter.
‘Hearts have made a good start,’ said Gordon.
‘They did lose three games in a row but then picked up again with a good win in the cup when they came from behind.
‘It’s always nice to get a lastminute winner, so that will have given them a boost before playing us.
‘It’s a good game, good for the league and good to play in. The fans always make it a great atmosphere and there can be some lively games.
‘I think everyone is glad it’s back. No matter whether it’s at Celtic Park or Tynecastle, it is a big game.’