Deila says it could have been a lot more

Celtic impressed to a 4-1 victory to against Premiership strugglers Dundee United but Ronny Deila believes the Hoops could have scored more in the win.

Speaking to BBC Sport Deila said:

We could have scored more in the end, but I think we lost the ball too much. To score four goals away is always difficult and we did well.

The fans were unbelievable and helped bring the team forward. We saw a lot of good play.

The Hoops were lively from the beginning and took the lead in the 21st minute, as Leigh Griffiths netted his 50th goal for Celtic. Tom Rogic’s deflected pass found the striker who slotted the ball through the legs of United keeper Eiji Kawashima.

Minutes later, Jozo Simunovic, scored his first for Celtic, heading in from a Kris Commons free-kick. Kawashima who has played for Japan over 70 times, was vulnerable from the cross and was caught in no-man’s-land, as the Croatian headed the ball into an empty net.

The home side though, pulled a goal back before the interval with Simon Murray getting the goal. A quick breakaway from United resulted in a through ball from John Souttar that fell kindly into the path of Murray, who flicked his shot past Gordon into the corner of the net.

Three minutes into the second half and it was second for Griffiths as he scored his 24th goal of the season. The Scot finished calmly at the back post, after a Celtic break, in which United had a possible penalty claim but it was waved away by referee Bobby Madden.

Celtic added a fourth just before the hour mark after some neat play by Rogic ended with a superb finish from Kris Commons. Rogic, who managed to swivel past a few United players, played the ball to Stuart Armstrong who’s cross was met by a acrobatic finish by Commons.

In the end, it was all too easy for the Hoops as they ran out comfortable winners. Celtic now face Hamilton on Tuesday night, in the re-arranged fixture that was postponed on the 5th of December. The Bhoys then face St Johnstone at Celtic Park, as they look to strengthen their position at the top of the Premiership.