RETURN OF THE ROAR
DEILA DELIGHT AS LATE ROGIC WINNER HELPS CELTIC EXTEND THEIR LEAD
RONNY DEILA last night hailed match-winner Tom Rogic for producing the last-minute ‘glimpse of magic’ that brought the return of the Celtic manager’s favourite post-match celebration and took his team a huge step closer to clinching the Premiership title.
The Australian substitute’s spectacular 90th-minute strike won a scrappy game at Kilmarnock for Celtic and an emotional Deila reacted at the end by bringing back his ‘Ronny Roar’ salute in front of the travelling fans.
The Norwegian’s future has been called into question on the back of poor European performances and a Premiership title challenge from Aberdeen. And in the past week, both David Moyes and Malky Mackay
have spoken openly, however respectfully, of the prospects of managing the club.
The Norwegian’s fist-pumping antics had been stuck in cold storage since October but they re-emerged in a blaze of passion after yesterday’s final whistle, with broadcasters Sky having to apologise for some choice language as Deila conducted his routine.
‘That was a very important goal at an important stage of the season,’ said Deila, whose team extended their lead at the top of the table to four points after Aberdeen’s defeat at Motherwell.
‘It was a glimpse of magic in the last minute and, in these games, when you win like that, you remember it for the rest of your life.
‘I was so pleased with Tom, coming on and doing this, and the fans were fantastic as well.
‘It is good to celebrate victories — that is why you do this. There was so much emotion for me and all the others, too. It was a good day, in the end.
‘You can’t control your emotions ... or the words in those times. But I don’t think I am the only one in Britain who has been caught saying those words.’
Celtic had helped swell the travelling support by subsidising £6 of the ticket price for supporters and Deila sensed a reconnection with a following who have been increasingly impatient with his team over the course of the season.
He continued: ‘The fans are always good, but today was even better because we didn’t play well and they stood by the team all the way and got their reward in the end. It was a fantastic feeling.
‘It was a very important moment. We need to lift the performance from this game. There are eight games to go, so it’s getting close.’
The day did come at some cost to Celtic, with teenage full-back Kieran Tierney hobbling off after 40 minutes. However, Deila retained hope that the youngster might be fit enough to fulfil his first Scotland call-up for the friendly against Denmark a week on Tuesday.
‘We have to see how KT is tomorrow,’ he added. ‘It was something with his ankle, but I don’t think it is a big one. Hopefully, he will reach the national team, but he has to be 100 per cent.’
Afterwards, Rogic admitted that he had never scored a finer goal and expressed his hope that the strike might enhance his prospects of a regular berth in Deila’s team.
He said: ‘I don’t think I’ve scored a better goal. It was a special moment and I’m sure I won’t forget it any time soon.
‘It’s massive, a very important goal given the circumstances. I knew there wasn’t long left. I had gone on as a substitute and hoped to make any impact. Fortunately, I was the one who made the difference.
‘When you see the fans celebrating, you see how much it means to them. I got booked for celebrating but I wasn’t going to complain about that.’