Mackay-Steven says Deila has made him a better player

Gary-Mackay-Steven has praised Ronny Deila insists the Celtic players are taking the speculation over his future at the club with a ‘pinch of salt.’

The Celtic winger has flourished since the turn of the year after a very poor run of form at the beginning of the season and falling out of favour.

There were even rumours the 25-year-old was heading out on loan as the January transfer window approached several months ago.

With two former Celtic players in David Moyes and Malky Mackay being linked with a return in the summer as manager of the club Mack-Steven and the rest of the team aren’t reading into the speculation too much.

As quoted by the Herald Scotland, he said:

I definitely feel I’ve improved and every day is enjoyable. [I’m better] positionally and tactically. Maybe defensively as well, because we do both. I just think in all areas I feel better. And that’s down to him.

We’re all behind the manager here, and he’s certainly behind the players. I think you can take [the speculation] with a pinch of salt. We certainly do as players. We just go about our business and play for the manager.

It is certainly different but a club of this size and what it has been used to in the past – it has won so much, it is used to winning things every year. Everything is in our hands.

Since the turn of the year, Mackay-Steven has scored five goals and provided five assists to team mates and his resurgence in form has helped the Hoops in recent weeks.

Celtic are in action again on Saturday afternoon against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park with the chance to momentarily open up a four-point gap to Aberdeen, who play later that day.