Ronny Deila has urged those involved in Scottish football to talk it up.

The Celtic manager's comments followed sports promoter Barry Hearn's claim at this week's SFA convention that it was "disgraceful" the SPFL could not find a sponsor while the game here has many positives they had failed to highlight.

Deila agreed that there is much to be applauded -and admitted that he loved the atmosphere generated at Tynecastle for Sunday's Scottish Cup tie against Hearts, despite the sectarianism row that followed.

The Hoops gaffer said: "That's why I came here, for those kind of games. To come to a stadium and feel pressure. It's great when you feel an unbelievable atmosphere.

"I love it in Scotland. The atmosphere is better than Norway.

"I think 7% to 10% of people here go to football. More go to matches here than down in England."

Deila also insisted that what our football lacks in quality it can make up for in excitement.

He explained: "It is not always about the level, it is also about entertainment. And what we need to do is speak well about the product.

"I think it is important to play exciting football, to try to attack and have the intensity.

"A lot of games, like the Hearts game, had the intensity we want and that people want to watch.

"Football is not only about quality, it is also about culture - having an atmosphere and supporting your home team and following them. And that is something Scotland should be proud of."

Deila pointed out that, compared to the Scandinavian countries, Scotland doesn't fare too badly.

He said. "There are five million people in Norway, nine million in Sweden, seven million in Denmark, yet Scotland is the best for interest in the game.

"And the national team is coming up. If they get to the World Cup they would be on the same level as Sweden and Denmark.

"Celtic have got into the Champions League many times but no team in Scandinavia has done that lately apart from Malmo."