RONNY DEILA plans to reduce his squad by up to six senior players this summer in an attempt to clear the path for young talent to burst through.

But the Hoops boss is adamant he does not want to lose any of his top stars, like Virgil van Dijk or Stefan Johansen, both the subject of interest from other clubs.

Loan signings who have failed to fire - including Mubarak Wakaso and Aleksander Tonev - will head the list of those shown the door, while out-of-contract keeper Lukasz Zaluska will also move on.

John Guidetti is expected to see out his loan here and move back to Holland or England, while there are also question marks hanging over Derk Boerrigter, who has rarely figured since Deila took over last summer.

The Norwegian's most expensive buy, £2.3million Stefan Scepovic, could also be available, if the right offer came in.

With Teemu Pukki coming to the end of his loan deal with Brondby, the Finn is another who appears surplus to requirements, as is Amido Balde, currently on loan at Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Deila believes a first-team squad of around 22, supplemented by youngsters, is a more practical size to work with.

He is also a strong believer you need a regular turnover of players to keep everyone fresh and introduce more of the qualities his team needs.

However, the Hoops boss does not want any of this to be funded by the sale of key assets, like Johansen, who is reported to be on the shopping list of Bundesliga clubs.

Deila reckons his countryman deserves a new deal to replace the one which still has two years to run, and is confident the 24-year-old Player-of-the-Year candidate is happy to continue to develop here.

He said of the man selected to lead the team when Scott Brown was suspended last week: "Stefan has a big potential and knows what it is all about now.

"We're starting to see a leader on the pitch. But I think he can improve more here.

"Celtic is the right place for him to be, and he can one of the players we build a future around.

"That's why I'm not interested in talking about him moving to the Bundesliga."

Deila was instrumental in setting Johansen on this path to the top when he signed him for Stromsgodset, then sold him to Celtic.

He continued: "Stefan has had periods in his career when it has not been so much fun.

"Not everything is about moving on when you enjoy a place and you are liked.

"A lot of players have to think, 'Why am I good here? Why am I enjoying it?', because that's more important than fighting for the big money all the time.

"If you sit on the bench or in the stand somewhere, money is nothing."

Deila is also hopeful Jason Denayer - the SPFL Young Player of the Month for March - will buy into the theory Celtic is the club where he can continue to develop at the quickest rate.

The 19-year-old Belgian will go back to Manchester City at the end of his loan deal to allow the management there to assess his progress.

But Deila is prepared to wait for him to see out his pre-season with his parent club then try to bring him back for, hopefully, another two years at Parkhead.

That would mean Denayer misses some, if not all, the qualifiers for Europe.

But Deila reckons it would be worth it leaving the door open for him, and said: "He should stay here, play more, maybe another two years, then take the next step.

"He should get more experience, and still has things to learn here."