RONNY Deila today insisted Celtic can handle the loss of talismanic Charlie Mulgrew and win the League Cup semi-final showdown with Rangers at Hampden on Sunday.

The Hoops have been dealt a massive blow ahead of their first meeting with the Ibrox club in nearly three years with the news that Mulgrew is out for six weeks.

The defender cum midfielder exacerbated a problematic knee injury in an under-20 game and will miss the big games the Scottish champions have coming up in February.

The 28-year-old will also be absent from the Celtic side in their last 32 Europa League double header with Italian giants Inter Milan next month.

The Scotland internationalist flourishes in games against the Gers and has only been on the losing side three times in no fewer than 10 appearances against them.

Deila, whose side moved three points clear at the top of the SPFL Premiership at the weekend with a win over Aberdeen at the weekend, admitted they will miss Mulgrew.

But the Norwegian coach, who will be in the dugout for the first time in the Glasgow derby match, is confident he has enough big-game players in his squad to cope with his absence.

He said: "I am disappointed that this has happened to Charlie. I feel sorry for him first of all.

"But it is bad for us because he is a very important player for us.

"But it has happened and we just have to deal with it and solve the problem it presents.

"I am sure that we will be able to do that and get it right on the day. "

"Apart from Charlie, we have a strong squad at the moment. We have a lot of fit players and a lot of competition for places in every area of the park.

"We also have a lot of big personalities and big game players.

"I am sure they will step up and rise to the occasion. We are looking forward to the game and are confident.

"We are in a good place after winning four games in a row and going out on top in the league ahead of Aberdeen at the weekend. It is a game we will really enjoy."

Deila will attempt to strengthen his Celtic squad further in the final days of the January transfer window as well as preparing his players for the League Cup game.

"But he isn't optimistic of bringing Manchester United and Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher to Glasgow despite admitting an interest in the player.

Fletcher hasn't been a regular starter at Old Trafford this season under new manager Louis van Gaal and has attracting the attention of many top clubs around Europe.

The 30-year-old looks set to sign for Barclays Premier League club West Ham United despite interest from West Bromwich Albion and Valencia in Spain.

Meanwhile, Deila is confident that striker Leigh Griffiths will be ready for the Rangers game despite being charged under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act following an incident at an Edinburgh pub last year.

He said: "He plays football so will be available for the game.

"This situation happened before I came to the club. But it has happened to other players before."