FOR Ronny Deila, the two-week international break is going to be one to savour.

He will be able to kick back and reflect on a seven-game series which yielded six wins and a draw.

They are results which have carried Celtic to the top of the SPFL, into the semi-final of the League Cup, and within two points of qualifying for the last 32 of the Europa League.

The feeling of satisfaction is in stark contrast to the angst which travelled with Deila back to Norway for a much-needed reunion with his kids at the start of the previous international break.

His side had just lost at home to league leaders Hamilton, to leave the Hoops in sixth spot, and serious questions were being asked of the man who had replaced Neil Lennon.

Fast forward to today, and Deila can look down from the summit of the Premiership table and forward to important matches in the Europa League and Scottish Cup - not to mention the League Cup semi-final against Rangers after the turn of the year - confident that his approval rating has soared. More progress has been made in the last traunch of games than in the previous three months he was in charge.

And the celebration jig Deila danced in front of the travelling support at Pittodrie after his side had battled back from a goal and a man down to take all three points was akin to a first waltz at a wedding.

The marriage between the manager and the fans was being made official, though, when he described the feeling as the winning goal went in as "orgasmic", some may even have felt it was consummated.

That was a major moment in Deila's time as boss of the club, and he wants to use it as a stepping stone to even better days in the future.

For that to happen, he knows the momentum built in the last month must be maintained, even allowing for this enforced two-week break while many of his players carry out their national service.

Which is why the target is already three points when they get back together to face Dundee a week on Saturday, a day after the club's AGM.

Having finally got to No.1 spot in the league, albeit on goal difference from Inverness, Deila's next objective is to push on and put space between Celtic and the chasing pack.

He said: "We just have to keep on winning. It is going to be a tough season with a lot of games because we want to compete well in all the competitions. But the players are used to this and we love it, so we just have to keep going."

Deila is not prepared to look too far ahead, however, preferring to maintain his approach whereby the campaign is broken up into manageable segments.

To this point, the regular breaks for internationals which pock mark the first half of every season create natural milestones.

And, having seen his players respond in style to the seven-game challenge thrown down to them last time, the manager is already preparing to ask for the same again - or rather, for more.

"The next stage begins when we come back together after these international games," confirmed Deila.

"We have to sit down again and see how we can take it to another level because there is so much still to work on and to improve. There is much better to come from this team."

That has to be a worry for the other 11 clubs in the Premier League who had been given real hope that this Celtic side in transition was vulnerable.

The fact Hamilton, Dundee United and Inverness have all had a shot at sitting on top of the table is proof that this has not been a typical campaign.

But, out of their early- season torpor, Deila's players have now awoken, as the manner of their victory at Pittodrie on Sunday underlined.

In a hostile environment, and with their character being tested to the full by Adam Rooney's early goal and Scott Brown's late dismissal, they came through with flying colours.

Deila was impressed by their will to win and said: "It was a tense atmosphere. But, it was fun, like matches we want to play. The red card for Scott? These things happen.

"He didn't do anything that was wrong for the team. He just tried to fight for us, and that's okay.

"The rest of the players were calm and, in the end, we got the chance and Virgil put it in the net to give us the three points."

It is clear Deila knows the significance of this victory, and what it can do for his players as a group.

"It was a fantastic win, and I am so proud of the team," he said. "They have had a very hard programme, playing in Europe and getting home on Friday afternoon and going to a very difficult match in Aberdeen.

"To get three points, and the way we did it, that's what I call team spirit and togetherness.

"And to celebrate that with the fans was fantastic."

Van Dijk's injury-time goal and the celebrations which ensued minutes later provided the final word on a week when much had been said about Celtic's current condition.

The recurring accusation, from the likes of Aberdeen player Jonny Hayes, is that they are not the power they once were, and as such, do not strike into opponents the same level of fear they once did.

"People have to think and say whatever they want," said Deila philosophically. "We just have to keep on winning. If we do that, there will be less talking."

There will also be much, much more singing and dancing - with the passionate Deila taking centre stage.