RONNY DEILA will not ban his Celtic players from using social media - but has urged them to be sensible when taking part in Twitter chats.

Anthony Stokes got caught up in an online spat this week after he accused Hearts fans of hurling sectarian abuse at him throughout last Sunday's ill-tempered cup tie in Edinburgh.

The striker had hit back after Jambos chief Ann Budge had criticised the Hoops supporters for trashing the away end of Tynecastle and telling the Parkhead club to sort out their behaviour.

Celtic had responded to that before Stokes took to Twitter to claim that the abuse he took in the game was the worst he had experienced in his career.

While Deila believes his players are entitled to their opinions, he would encourage them to shy away from anything that might propel them into the media spotlight or sap their focus from football.

The Celtic boss said: "I think it is a democracy. Players have opinions and a right to speak.

"But they have to think about what they're doing - it is about using energy. If you are starting a fight with people, you are using energy doing that instead of playing football.

"This is something that is happening more and more and we have to be aware of it.

"We have to educate the players from youth level about the effects that has on every individual and what they can do.

"If I were them, I would not do it. But these are the players' opinions rather than the club's opinions."

While some teams have banned players from using social media sites, Deila is reluctant to impose any sanction but would rather that players were trusted to think for themselves and behave accordingly.

"I think that is the way you have to do it now," said Deila. "You have opportunities to get people to view your thoughts on social media. But we just have to educate them."

The Hoops manager has also insisted that using social media properly can help players to establish a good rapport with their own supporters.

"Let the players give something of themselves," he said. "A little bit like John Guidetti.

"Some players speak OK in the media but Guidetti is loved, not just because he is a good footballer but because gives something of himself to the fans and I think that's important."

Meanwhile, the Celtic winger James Forrest is expected to feature in the game against Motherwell tomorrow lunchtime after being rested for the midweek win over Partick.

Leigh Griffiths was ill and missed the game and isn't expected to recover in time for the Premiership trip to Fir Park.

The match will give Virgil van Dijk a chance to keep up his sensational scoring form.

The Dutch defender has notched three goals in the last two games to raise his tally for the season to six.

And he revealed that his sharpness in front of goal was honed as a kid playing on pitches named after Holland's greatest player.

He said: "We had small Johan Cruyff pitches where we played five-a-side games. I did it when I was younger and sometimes you can see a bit of that on the pitch.

"Defending is my main thing but if I can score to help the team that is fun. I just want to win games and be a champion."