KRIS COMMONS has told Ronny Deila that if he ever wants to win the PFA Manager of the Year award in Scotland he will need to do something spectacular with Celtic.

John Hughes, who led Inverness Caledonian Thistle to Scottish Cup success, took the accolade this season.

And Commons believes that because so much is taken for granted where Celtic are concerned that the only way a manager will ever be given the top award for the season is if they do something unexpected.

Former Hoops boss Neil Lennon led Celtic into the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League, beating Barcelona on the way and clocking up a Scottish record of 10 points in the group stages in season 2012-13.

He did so while also lifting the SPFL title and the Scottish Cup but the voters at the Scottish PFA opted to give the accolade to Allan Johnstone who had led Queen of the South to the Second Division title.

It was a decision that caused uproar in the Celtic dressing room at the time but Commons believes that any Hoops manager who wins a Treble would force their achievements to be recognised.

"To be the Celtic manager and win the Manager of the Year you have to do something that is a surprise, like win a Treble," he said.

"I was here a few years back when Neil won the league and took us into the last 16 of the Champions League and he didn't get the Manager of the Year award.

"It is expected of us that we will win but sometimes it is overlooked just how many games we are playing. When you are involved in European football midweek and then playing again at weekends it can be tough to keep the results coming.

"The pressure at this club, too, is also phenomenal. We have to be successful. We have to deliver."

This season is the closest Celtic came to enjoying a clean domestic sweep.

There remains a lingering feeling of injustice at the manner of the club's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final defeat against Inverness when a Josh Meekings handball was missed by referee Steven McLean on the cusp of the break and with Celtic leading 1-0.

But Commons believes that such an achievement is still possible during his time at the club.

Like every other season, Celtic's new campaign will begin with the aspiration of taking everything available.

One of the main challenges in delivering that objective this season will be in fending off interest in the current playing squad.

Dedryck Boyata has arrived to take up the void that will be left by Jason Denayer who has returned to Manchester City to fight for a place in their first-team, and Deila remains adamant that Virgil van Dijk will not be sold.

Of course, that resolve would be seriously rested should a significant sum of money be out on the table. However, what Deila will strive for is to keep the Dutch defender at the club at least until the Uefa Champions League qualifiers have taken place.

Commons, though, is hoping that all advances for Celtic's best players are rejected.

"The closest I have to come to winning the Treble with Celtic was this season," he said. "I still think we can do it in my time here but you do need that little bit of luck.

"But if we can keep our main players and add one or two that will help us improve then we could do it next season."

Meanwhile, Commons has insisted that he will have no regrets with the fact Scotland could qualify for their first major international tournament for almost two decades without him being a part of it.

The versatile playmaker announced his retirement from international football two years ago.

Gordon Strachan's side are facing a pivotal meeting with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin next week in a game that is massive for both teams and Commons will be rooting for them from the comfort of his luxury family holiday base.

Strachan's side have enjoyed an upsurge in momentum over the last 12 months and there is a cautious optimism around the international team that they are finally moving in the right direction.

And while Commons would love to see them make it to France next year, he has admitted that when he decided to step down from playing for his country he had to accept that he could well find himself on the outside looking in if Scotland made it to the European Championships.

"I had to think about that at the time," he said. "I am comfortable with that decision.

"I am going to be 32 in August. I want to hopefully be playing Champions League football up until Christmas at least and that along with the domestic games would be too much if international football was added on top of that.

"I wish the lads all the very best. I'll be cheering them on but I don't have any regrets about stepping down."