Deila: Stefan Johansen is a winner and a leader

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has praised his fellow Norwegian Stefan Johansen and backs him to get back to his best after struggling with injury.

The midfielder went through the pre-season with a persistent back problem that affected him right up until the most recent international break.

But Ronny Deila knows the 24-year-old can get back to his best, starting in his homeland on Thursday against Molde.

So far, Johansen has made 13 appearances for Celtic, scoring four goals and five assists, which is impressive given his struggles with injury this season.

Speaking ahead of the trip to Molde, as quoted by the Daily Record, Deila said:

Stefan has had troubles with his back since pre-season.

He also had a bad knock against Fenerbahce on his neck. There is more to come though.

You know with Stefan that you get 100 per cent hard work all the time.

Johansen has struggled to match the level of performance from last season but the trip to face Molde could be the start

Deila opted to keep Johansen out of the squad against Motherwell so he is fully fit and ready for Thursday to give Celtic the best chance of getting a positive result away from home.

In my eyes he is a winner. When you see him for Norway, he is the leader in the team. He dictates what’s going on.

He is 24-years-old and has a long career ahead but when you play 70 games you can have dips.

It’s my task to get him back to the level he can be as quickly as possible.

Both Deila and Johansen will be returning to familiar territory from their Stromsgodest days, but the manager won’t let the occasion get to him or his players.

It’s just another game. They are coming all the time. You play in Milan against Inter then in Amsterdam against Ajax. You just go to work and go back again. You are in that bubble to perform.

It’s always about the next task. I don’t have time to think about going to Norway. We need a good performance then hopefully we can be smiling on the plane back.