RONNY DEILA will use the January transfer window to ensure the access route for young players to the Celtic first team is not blocked by dead wood.

However, the Hoops boss is also aware he needs enough experienced Bhoys to keep the club fighting in four different competitions.

So, the aim is to strike the right balance, in terms of arrivals and departures, when the window re-opens at the end of this month.

Deila has used 30 players since taking charge of his first game in Reykjavik in mid-July.

Three of them - Fraser Forster, Teemu Pukki and Dylan McGeouch - have already moved out, the keeper for £10million, the front men on loan.

There will be more activity in January.

But, while Deila is determined to strengthen his side, he is also desperate to ensure the way remains open for rising stars already at the club to reach their full potential.

He said: "We have to see what is available, but it is also about money. We have a lot of players, and have loaned some out, too, for the rest of the season.

"We have to find the right balance between having a good enough and big enough squad to be in four competitions, but, we don't want to have too many here because then some players do not feel involved in the team.

"To keep up the spirit in the team, it is important to find that balance. Also, we have to find the balance to let the young players have a chance.

"It's something we consider all the time and try to find the right solution."

For tonight's game, Deila is happy to see Charlie Mulgrew back after recovering from a rib injury, while Stefan Scepovic and Wakaso Mubarak are available are being sidelined with illness.

But Jason Denayer and Mikeal Lustig will remain out of action for another few weeks.

Deila has vowed to go with his strongest-available side tonight, remembering that Thistle made them sweat before finally capitulating following Stuart Brannigan's red card when they met in the League Cup in October.

"They had control over us and we scored from a free kick, so we have to step up from that game," said Deila.

"When they got the red card, it changed the game and we won quite easily. But, they are a good team and we have to be up for the game."

John Guidetti scored a hat-trick that night, after being the victim of the tackle which saw Brannigan sent off, much to the disbelief of the Thistle players and management.

The Swede was involved in another controversial incident at the weekend when Willie Collum awarded a penalty after the striker went down as he turned away from a challenge by Brad McKay.

The SFA Compliance Officer, Tony McGlennan, believes there is no case to answer, despite accusations of diving.

And Deila backs his man to the hilt. He said: "We don't want cheats. That's the important thing.

"But I don't think John was standing there wanting a penalty.

"It's maybe not a penalty, but it's a long way from there to diving.

"It looked like he slipped, so, for me, it is nothing.

"It is a decision the referee made."

Collum has come in for a lot of criticism for his handling of the tie, which also saw Morgaro Gomis sent off and a Celtic 'goal' by Kris Commons disallowed.

But Deila is a fan of our officials and said: "The referees have been fantastic since I came here.

"It's a high level of refereeing in Scotland. It has been worse in Europe, like last Thursday against Salzburg.

"But the referees here have been good.

"Sometimes you get something for you, sometimes you get something against you.

"I don't think a lot about it. If you perform well as a team, then you will win games."