BY THE time Celtic run out at Firhilll tomorrow night, they could once again be trailing in the title race.

 

Aberdeen have the opportunity to leapfrog the champions if they can win against St Johstone earlier in the day.

It could be the same story over the weekend when the Dons play 24 hours before the Hoops take on Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on Monday evening.

The fact Deila and his players then head to Gran Canaria, forcing the postponement of their league game against St Johnstone on January 10, means they could find themselves trailing more than Aberdeen by the time they come back to Glasgow.

But,for Deila, all that matters is his side is top of the pile when all 38 games have been completed.

And, if Celtic only finish a point ahead of the pack, that will be good enough for him - so long as they have already won the League Cup and are on course to collect the Scottish Cup to complete the Treble.

Asked if he would be happy to take the title by one point on the final day, he replied: "If we win the Treble, yes.

"I don't think you will talk about one point or 10 points, if you win the Treble.

"It's about trophies,. Nobody asks by how many points you win it.

"If you read the history, you don't know who was No.2, or how many points they won by."

That viewpoint is unlikely to sit easily with Celtic fans who watched their club romp the title race last season, winning it by 29 points.

But the Norwegian contests that winning a fourth championship is what matters most, not by how far.

And, while he reckoned they would be enjoying more than a two-point lead at this stage, there are no panic buttons being pressed.

Deila explained: "I hoped for some more points in the league.

"We dropped some stupid points in the beginning. But, in the last month-and-a-half, there has been good consistency, apart from the last two games.

"If we get three points against Partick Thistle, we will be over 40 points, and that will be half the season.

"If we can do the same (in the second half), we will get around 80 or 90 points. That could be good enough."

Deila believes teams now fear his side more, and are adopting a more defensive approach to games against them as a result.

He is not sure the same obstacles face Aberdeen, and is not dismissing the challenge being thrown down by Derek McInnes' side, despite the fact Celtic have beaten them twice this season.

The most testing time for every club is still to come, when injuries and suspensions stretch their squad.

But, when asked if the likes of Aberdeen have the mental strength to mount a genuine title challenge, Deila answered: "I think so. Especially Aberdeen.

"They have consistency and they won a trophy last year.

"They are a big club, and of course they have a chance.

"But we have to do everything we can to make sure they can't cope with it.

"We just have to win games and go on a run of good games.

"We have to get back on track again and get the three points against Partick Thistle.

"If we keep doing that, it's going to be tough to follow us."

He may be from another country, but Deila is not from another planet, and he understands the consequences if he fails in his priority, to retain the title.

"You can feel the pressure in your body all the time," he revealed.

"The pressure on my shoulder is also inside my ear. I know what I want to achieve, and it's the same with the players.

"We just need to be calm."