ANTHONY STOKES and Ronny Deila have united to insist all thoughts of meeting Rangers in the League Cup semi-final must now be shelved.

The Celtic striker and his club manager recognise how dangerous a distraction the tie can prove to be for a side with major targets to achieve long before the game early next year.

The Hoops have finally got on to the shoulders of league leaders Dundee United and second-placed Hamilton after winning their fifth game in a row at the weekend.

And, with a crunch Europa League tie against Astra Giurgiu in Romania on Thursday -when victory could propel them into the last 32 - the excitement generated by the League Cup draw has to be suppressed for the time being. Quite simply, Stokes and Deila agree there is too much to play for between now and then. The Republic of Ireland international said: "The Rangers game is three months away, and we have to put it on the back burner. It's an exciting fixture, and something to look forward to.

"But, the main thing for us is to maintain the winning form we have been showing between now and into the New Year. So, we will put it to the back of our mind.

"It is an exciting prospect, but the most important fixture for us is always the next one - and that's in Romania against Astra on Thursday."

Stokes has an advantage over many of his team-mates in that he has already played in a Celtic v Rangers match.

Several of the current Hoops squad have been recruited since the clubs last met, in April, 2012.

Deila will also be sampling the unique atmosphere for the very first time. And, despite being excited by the opportunity to manage on such a passionate occasion, the Norwegian is bracing himself for the challenge of keeping everyone's eye on the ball until then.

He listened as his players cheered as the draw was made, and added to the spice by claiming that, having avoided Dundee United and Aberdeen, it was not the toughest they could have got.

He said: "I have been a little bit surprised just how much of a reaction there has been to this draw. But, it is fantastic."

Deila is confident Craig Gordon will be back in the side for the tie against Astra. The keeper was rested at the weekend after feeling discomfort in a knee. Kris Commons and James Forrest will also be assessed before the squad fly out on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Celtic are expected to today lodge an appeal against the seven-game ban handed to Aleksandar Tonev after he was found guilty of racially abusing Aberdeen's Shay Logan.