JASON DENAYER has thanked Ronny Deila for helping him to raise his game and play the Celtic way.

The on-loan 19-year-old is keen to return to Manchester City at the end of the current campaign.

But he is convinced that his season in the Hoops has made him a better player.

And proof of that was his appearance this week on the shortlist for the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award.

Denayer said: "I have improved a lot since I joined Celtic. Here I have played for the first team while at Manchester City I played with the youths.

"When I joined Celtic I didn't think I would play every game. But now my expectation is high. The manager has helped me a lot and I am thankful to him.

"I have no time at the moment for when I will decide what is happening. I will need to wait until the summer to see what is happening."

In an attempt to stay grounded and concentrate on his career, the young defender has moved his dad Andre to Glasgow to help him focus.

The plan appears to be working given that he has recently been capped at senior level for Belgium, and Denayer attributes the straight-talking approach from his father as instrumental in getting the best out of himself.

"It is important for me that he is here. He is always supporting me and we talk to each other about everything," said Denayer.

"He says some good stuff, but also is straight with me when I play badly.

"Lots of people can say to you that you have played well when you haven't. But my dad can't lie to me, he tells me the truth every time."