KRIS COMMONS reckons Ronny Deila needs to lead Celtic to a Treble to claim the Manager of the Year award in his first season in Scotland.

But, the midfielder cautions it will be tough to better the manner in which the league championship was secured in double-quick time last term.

Neil Lennon had it wrapped up by the end of March, with an emphatic win against tonight's opponents, Partick Thistle, before going on to finish 29 points clear of Motherwell.

This time, it looks like going deep into the split before four-in-a-row can be celebrated.

And Commons has identified Inverness - who they play in the Highlands on Saturday, and again in the Scottish Cup semi-final the following weekend - as the main obstacle they have to overcome to keep on track for a clean sweep of prizes.

Last season's Player of the Year has been heavily involved in title battles since signing for the club in January 2011, and knows how special each and every one is.

So, he is well placed to judge how Deila taking the trophy in his first season, and against a sustained challenge from Aberdeen, would compare.

He said: "I thought last season was the most convincing title win we have had.

"We had the clean sheet record, got over 100 goals and 99 points.

"So, it was pretty phenomenal, and by this time it was done and dusted.

"That's why it would be very, very hard to compare to that one.

"But, we are still involved in the Scottish Cup and have won the League Cup, which makes it that little bit more special this season.

"It certainly takes it right down to the wire, if we can get past Inverness in the semi final.

"It's Ronny's first season, and he's still involved in going for three trophies at this late stage, which is brilliant."

Commons trusts the pre-season programme being planned by Deila - without any of the exhausting travelling to Australia or the States for money-spinning friendlies - will offset the very short summer break before, he hopes, they are gearing up again for Champions League qualifiers.

"I think they probably realise, from past mistakes, maybe, that we are not cattle," he said.

"They treat us like professional footballers.

"Sometimes, the travelling is harder than the game itself.

"But, if you start picking up injuries, you find it hard to get back into the team."

Commons will be happy to do the pre-season work on home ground and be in the best shape possible for the crunch early games which can define the entire season.

He hopes there will not to be too much disruption to the squad, and that the key players can be retained.

The 31 year-old reckons the number of Celtic candidates for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award is a clear indication of their strength in depth.

The danger is this could see the vote split, allowing someone from another club to capitalise.

Aberdeen's Adam Rooney is a strong challenger, in his book.

But Craig Gordon is his idea of the man who should succeed him, though Commons is not allowed to vote for a team-mate.

"Winning it last year was one of the best achievements of my career," he said.

"I just hope whoever does win the award this year, people say he deserves it.

"It would be a travesty if you came away from the awards night scratching your head."