Stefan Johansen has urged the Parkhead powerbrokers to back Ronny Deila this summer as the club chase a Uefa Champions League group place.

 

The Norwegian playmaker, shortlisted yesterday at the PFA Scotland Premiership awards, believes that it is in the club's best interests to do their transfer business as quickly as possible in order that Celtic give themselves a chance of landing a golden ticket into Europe's premier competition.

Deila has already begun the hunt for reinforcements with Club Brugge defender Brandon Mechele linked with Celtic as well as current Hearts defender Danny Wilson.

And Johansen would love to see some new faces as soon as he heads back from his summer break.

"The gaffer is trying to build a team," he said. "You never know in football. People will always move on and who knows what might happen in the summer?

"But I think if we could keep most of the boys who are here and bring in one or two other signings then we would be strong enough for the Champions League qualifiers.

"A big thing is that players come in and have the chance to settle before the big games start. You need to have a few weeks to get to know the players and the Celtic style and that was one of the problems this season.

"The gaffer had just come in and there were new players, too, and it took a few months for everyone to get to used to one another. That is one of the things we need to learn from.

"We know how important these games are. We will spend our summer thinking about them. It would be nice to come back and see a new player or two because you do need a big squad. And we all have to know what to expect from each other.

"For me one of the most important things for the manager is that he kept all of our players in January. I think that was very significant.

"We have to learn from this season. We weren't ready and we need to be prepared next season for how high the demands are.

"Everybody wants to play in the Champions League. It is the highest level and you need to experience that because it is how you learn and get better."

Johansen was delighted to find himself short-listed for the PFA Scotland award yesterday. The midfielder is the favourite to be named the Player of the Year by his contemporaries - he himself voted for Dundee player Greg Stewart - and he has credited much of his success this season to Deila's influence.

"He has always been very important to me in my career," he said. "I have played a slightly different role this season at Celtic than I did when I was in Norway.

"He has given me a lot of freedom and the ability to go and play and try to create things. I have really enjoyed playing that role and he is the type of manager that gives you a lot of confidence because he is so positive.

"It would mean a lot to me to win the award. I am so proud to have been nominated. It proves that you are doing a lot of things right.

"I came here last January and it gave me six months to get used to the tempo and the Celtic way of playing. Now I finally have a full season and I feel as though both myself and the team are getting better and better."