Anthony Stokes today insisted that he has had nothing to apologise to Ronny Deila for after being carpeted last month.

The Irish striker reported back late from a trip to Dublin, an indiscretion that cost him his place in the Europa League squad for the Inter Milan ties.

However, although he fell foul of Deila, the striker is adamant there is no ill-feeling between the two - and nor has he felt the need to hold his hands up and say sorry.

'No, look the situation has been dealt with," he said. "It's as simple as that. I've spoken to the gaffer about it and there's no issue now. It's been dealt with. It's done."

Stokes, however, has admitted that he struggled to adapt to Deila's new regime.

Having gone from playing through the middle to being predominantly on the left-hand side of an attacking trio, the Irishman has been forced to tweak his game.

"The way we are playing is probably tactically a bit different from before," he explained.

"There aren't many spells when we keep possession for maybe 20, 30 passes. It's always - get the ball, be direct, swarm them, break quickly.

"But it seems to be working. It's something that was never just going to happen overnight. It just wasn't going to click.

"I think there's been gradual progress throughout the season and I think we're getting there."

Stokes is well aware there is pressure on him now with Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong at the club.

Both players have made a seamless transition from United to Celtic, with Mackay-Steven, in particular, an obvious threat to Stokes' position.

"It's difficult for me to miss any game as I want to play every minute of them," he said.

"I've been here long enough and I've had periods on the sidelines when I've not been in the team. You can't lose heart. You have to work hard in training and just focus on your own game.

"When you get the opportunities, you have to try and take them.

"I've played the last two games. Even for myself, I would have liked to have played a little bit better because I know the situation with the boys from Dundee United.

"They will be straight back in contention as soon as we have these games by us.

"It's up to me to obviously go out and try and put my stamp down and try to keep myself in the team."