Celtic manager Ronny Deila today insisted that striker Anthony Stokes still has a future at the club.

The Irish internationalist was overlooked for last week's first-leg meeting with Inter Milan in the Europa League knockout stages and was then left out of the squad for yesterday's comfortable 4-0 win over Hamilton Accies.

Stokes was late back from a visit home to Dublin last week and, while Deila wouldn't say that the player's future at the club was under threat, he did warn the forward that he needs to buck up his ideas.

With Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong impressing since their January arrival from Dundee United, there is pressure on Stokes, who watched yesterday's game from the stand, anyway for his starting jersey.

" We are dealing with the other things and there's no problem," said Deila. "I'm always after development and Anthony has things he has to

improve and work on.

"He's very motivated to do that. We have a very strong squad and it's very tough to play now.

"There are things we've been talking about for a long time and he has to step up on these things. He knows what they are and that's his motivation."

Meanwhile, Deila has hinted at his frustration at this weekend's high noon kick-off time against Aberdeen.

There are just three points between Celtic and Derek McIness's side, although Celtic have a game in hand, but the early kick-off means there is little time for Deila to prepare after his side play in the San Siro on Thursday night. The Hoops boss said: "I could say something about that, I could do that.

"But two hours or three hours more is not that hard I think. We are used to playing at 1pm and now it's 12.

"Maybe soon we will play at 9am, I don't know. It's very early - for the fans as well, but we will be ready."

Deila has reiterated that he believes on-loan striker John Guidetti would be best served committing his future to Celtic rather than elsewhere.

The Manchester City forward has returned to the goal trail after a barren run of form and was yesterday linked with a bumper move to French side Marseille.

"I haven't read that, there is a lot in the newspaper that is not true," said Deila. "I don't know, it's only rumours.

"I think he should stay at Celtic, I have said that many times.

"He has been in and out of the team here. Why? Because he hasn't been good enough.

"When he plays at his best level he is good enough and then he will play.

"Then he will develop. He is still young and hopefully he will want to stay at Celtic.

"But he is motivated and focused, and that's what I want to see.

"I want to see hungry players - and he is one of them - here to show he is here to work and improve."