Deila says Ciftci needs time to prove himself

Ronny Deila believes Celtic striker Nadir Ciftci is already receiving unfair criticism and should be given a chance before being judged.

The 23-year-old has been unavailable for Celtic after biting Jim McAlister in May’s Dundee derby at Tannadice, which resulted in a six-game domestic ban.

Over the next few weeks we will get to see the true picture.

Ciftci started four of Celtic’s qualifying matches and made a substitute in the two-legged tie against Malmo but failed to score a goal.

Against Icelandic side Stjarnan and Qarabag from Azerbaijan, the Turkish striker had chances to score his first goal in the Hoops jersey but failed to take them.

He needs games. He has trained well but he needs to play. With every player it takes time to adapt to what we are doing and they need to get on the pitch.

We know his qualities and we believe that he can make us better. I still think that. It is too early for people to say that he is not good enough – he needs time to settle here and get used to the way we play.

Last season, Ciftci scored 14 goals for Dundee United before making the summer switch to Celtic.

Celtic’s next game against Aberdeen on September 12th will be the starting point for Ciftci to prove doubters wrong and get his career at Celtic underway with a goal against their main rivals for the title.