Deila saved Bitton from Celtic exit

While many fans are not happy with Ronny Deila and his decision on the field, his actions off it have helped them keep one of their best players at the club.

Deila’s decision to speak with Nir Bitton last season has paid dividends for Celtic as he has become a pivotal player in the Celtic midfield.

The 24-year-old midfielder signed a new five-year deal which might never have materialised and may not even be at the club anymore if it wasn’t for the Norwegians intervention.

Having joined under Neil Lennon in August 2013, Bitton had a slow start at the club making only a handful of appearances and looked to be on his way out in January 2015 after being on the periphery of Deila’s plans for the team during his early time in charge.

However, Bitton has said the talk he had with Ronny Deila last year kept him at the club when he was thinking about leaving, as per the Daily Mail.

I had a good conversation with him (Deila) last year.

I didn’t realise why I wasn’t playing and when you don’t know why you don’t play, you cannot change the thing you need to improve.

After the conversation with the gaffer I tried to change, tried to show him that I deserved to play and I got my chance.

I tried to change a lot of things but the most important thing that the gaffer wanted me to change was the pace of the game.

The Israeli will be hoping to make an impact in a crucial game on Thursday night against Molde and is ready to give everything to make sure the Hoops come away with three points.

We try to go 100 per cent from the beginning in every game at Celtic Park.