Deila not fazed by tricky Malmo trip

Berget returns to haunt Hoops with late Champions League play-off goal

Ronny Deila insists he is not scared of the prospect of going to Malmo after a last-gasp goal from former Hoops loanee Jo Inge Berget dented Celtic’s Champions League hopes as the hosts squeezed out a 3-2 win at Parkhead.

Leigh Griffiths gave the Scottish champions the lead in the third minute of the play-off first leg at Parkhead last night before midfielder Nir Bitton headed in a second from a Stefan Johansen corner.

Berget, who had a short and unsuccessful loan spell at Parkhead last season, pulled a goal back in the 52nd minute with a wonderful volley before Griffiths headed in his second, and sixth of the season, in the 61st minute to make it 3-1 to Celtic.

But in the fifth of five added minutes, Berget scored from close range to make next week’s return leg in Sweden more fraught than it ought to have been against a Malmo side who overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Salzburg in the previous round.

However, Deila, said: “No, it doesn’t scare me. I said they were a good team and it is small details that make you win or lose in European ties.

“We are ahead with one goal. Of course we can beat Malmo away. But they have to beat us and that is a positive thing. “They have to attack us and that can suit us. “We played well at the start of the game, we were all over them and scored two goals, so it was a little bit disappointing in the end but I have belief that we can do it in Malmo.”

Deila’s fellow Norwegian, Age Hareide, praised his Malmo players and believes the momentum will be with them next Tuesday in Sweden.

“We have a very good chance to beat them at home now and we only need one goal.”

Picture: SNS Group. Leigh Griffiths races away after scoring his second of the game to put Celtic 3-1 ahead.