RONNY DEILA insists Celtic remain the best team in the country - even though Aberdeen top the Premiership table and Dundee United could also leapfrog the champions tomorrow.

The Hoops boss will watch with interest to see how the Dons and the Tannadice side cope with being in contention.

But Deila insists it is much too early to be discussing who will lift the crown - though he is confident it will be his Bhoys.

He said: "So far, we've been the best team in this league. We have scored most, conceded fewest. We were on a good run until Dundee United. If we win our game in hand, we will be two points ahead.

"We know what we have been doing is the best in the league, and we have to keep progressing."

Though they could be four points behind by they time to run out against Kilmarnock on Monday, Deila revealed no panic buttons are being pressed.

"It's still in our hands," he explained. "If we win all our games, then we'll be league winners. It is very early, though, to start talking about it. There are 19 games left, 20 for us, so we'll see how things are when there's one month left. Then you can start talking about it."

Dons boss Derek McInnes has led his side to six straight SPFL wins - their last defeat coming against Celtic on November 9.

As much as Deila respects this achievement, he believes the real test is staying in pole position.

He said: "The last two seasons haven't maybe been so tight. But, overall, the players are used to fighting for trophies, more than the other teams."

Deila added: "Aberdeen are not used to being at the top. It's always better to have the experience of being up there. Aberdeen have proved they can win a lot of games. We'll see if they can keep on winning."

The genuine competition for the title has been welcomed by those who consider Celtic dominating the championship a bad thing for the game.

But Deila is not among them and admits he does not welcome the close-quarters battle, adding: "I want to win the league as quickly as possible.

"But, if other teams are doing well, then it's going to be a fight. Nothing is easy in football. Now it's Aberdeen and Dundee United doing well, so we have to step up and win games."

Deila also believes his players can step up a gear now that the race is on for real.

"The mood is very positive and there's a very good atmosphere in the group," he revealed. "Now we just have to get back on track to win games."

Deila is aware, however, that underdogs can become champions. His Stromsgodset side did just that in Norway, and he was still celebrating that success this time last year.

An offer to move to Malmo in Sweden was rejected, but the chance to take over at Celtic was too good to miss. He wants to embrace that championship feeling again, but for now is focusing on emerging from this transfer window with a stronger squad to help him achieve his goal.

Deila confirmed there has been no offer from Bolton for Kris Commons, and that negotiations with John Guidetti continue to progress "in the right direction".

He said: "You're never in complete control of it, but we have a lot of options and I know we'll be okay in the end. We are much more ahead than we were at the same stage in the summer transfer window."