Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell has applauded Ronny Deila for the manner in which he has won around the Hoops dressing room, claiming that the Parkhead boss got over the 'Le Guen' hump, a reference to the brief and unsuccessful reign of former Ibrox boss Paul.

The Norwegian manager had a ropey opening few months to his Celtic career as the club exited the UEFA Champions League at the qualification stages while league performances in those early days were also unconvincing.

It led to scepticism among the club support and, crucially within the Celtic dressing room.

Deila's methods of intense fitness training and different systems that he wanted the players to adhere to were rumoured to be unpopular with an element of the players.

However, he appears to have won them over and could take a significant step towards becoming only the third Celtic manager to win a domestic Treble this weekend when Celtic head to Tannadice.

"When we set off with him, we knew we were going to give him time," explained Lawwell. "If you go back to [Paul] Le Guen - I always say to Ronny about the 'Le Guen' hump.

"When he came in, he'd won three-in-a-row in France, had new ideas, a new philosophy and a new culture.

"Bang. It didn't work. It was revolution rather than evolution. Bang. The players revolted and he went out.

"So we had to get over that Le Guen hump if you like and we managed through that. You get the players on board and everything settled down. He's done that brilliantly.

"When it's a big change from what you have been used to you need time to understand it and believe in it.

"The players are with him, you can see that with the team. That is what is giving him the confidence to push on."

And Lawwell, who was instrumental in Deila's appointment, has claimed that the Norwegian deserves full marks for his application since arriving at the club.

"In terms of results, he'd be an eight," he said. "In terms of how he's come in and acclimatised and shown progress, 10.

"We can't afford or get into the market for Champions League players so we need someone who creates Champions League players, and that is what he does. He is a developer of players and that takes time. We knew what we were getting.

"He is a highly intelligent guy; he is a progressive coach which is exactly what we need and through time, it will prove that we were right.

"He is a learner. He is progressive. He is modern. He has a personality that is beginning to come out. He is a leader. He has all the attributes and qualities to be a great manager. All you need is a bit of luck and be in the right time and the right place."

Lawwell also intimated that there could be a new deal imminent for Celtic keeper Craig Gordon.

The Parkhead side gambled on the stopper in the summer after the player had been out of football because of a series of injury issues for almost two years, but Gordon has been one of Celtic's outstanding performers this season.

"He has been fantastic," said Lawwell. "He's a great man as you know. Ronny and I are talking about that at the moment and what the next step might be."

For all the Deila has won over many of his early critics, the fact remains that he has yet to win anything.

"And any Celtic manager will always be judged on the trophies they deliver.

"He is judged by progress, results clearly and ultimately by trophies," said Lawwell. "But not necessarily in the short-term.

"If you feel someone is on the right way and he will be right for the club, then it is down to judgement."