Ronny Deila has fired a warning shot to the rest of the SPFL Premiership that his Hoops title-winning side will be even better next term.

 

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes said after Celtic's win at Pittodrie on Sunday that he believed his men could move closer to the Parkhead side next year - but Deila expects to kick on again after the break.

And he will only bring players into his squad whom he believes are prepared to give everything to make Celtic a force to be reckoned with both at home and abroad.

"I am excited," he said. "I am hungry. I need players that are hungry. You have to want to learn, to want to improve. That is what we want here - players who are always wanting to improve.

"We can win even more points next year, that drives us. I know there are a lot of teams who want to take us.

"We have to enjoy this moment because that is important, we have to enjoy winning the league. There are a lot of challenges ahead, but we know that in the next six weeks we will be ready."

While Deila will look to invest in his playing squad over the next few weeks, he is also keen to give everyone a chance before calling time on their Celtic career.

Aussie midfielder Tom Rogic was on the bench at Aberdeen on Sunday and Deila could give the player some game time before the end of the season.

Rogic has had a nightmare time with injury problems, but Deila has maintained that the 22-year-old could still play his part at Celtic.

"Of course he can still have a future here at Celtic," said the Norwegian.

"He has been very unlucky here in his Celtic career. He looks lean, he looks fast and it is up to him now what happens.

"It is not too late for him. I am always wanting to give everyone a chance. I am pleased for him that he is fit again and we will see what happens over the next few weeks.

"He has worked very hard in the gym and on the training pitch. He looks fit, but obviously he has not played a lot of football so he needs some game time."

Deila also paid tribute to the work-rate of his whole squad as they close out the final weeks of a long season.

"We trust one another now," he said. "We had some months in the beginning where I had to get to know them and they had to know me. We are in a good place now, I think. Communication is the key.

"There has been improvement in the whole team. We have to keep working on the same things and make things even better.

"I know what kind of skills are in this team and I believe we can reach the levels we want to hit."