IT'S often you find out more about your capabilities when backs are against the wall than when a match is being won at a canter.

For Celtic manager Ronny Deila, that moment came in Saturday's 2-1 win in Paisley.

Toiling against a resolute and tenacious St Mirren, his players not only managed to battle and scrape their way into a half-time lead, but showed the wherewithal and endeavour to fight their way back in front after they were the architects of their own downfall just four minutes after the break as their initial advantage dissipated.

The Hoops boss was given heart that his team has what it takes to dig deep and carve out a victory when Plan A is not delivering, a commodity that could well prove valuable in three days' time when Dinamo Zagreb come to Celtic Park in the Europa League.

For spells against the Buddies in Saturday's early kick-off, it was clear that the men in bottle green were not at the top of their game.

Missing Kris Commons through injury, Celtic were stifled for spells by the pairing of John McGinn and Jim Goodwin.

And the home side served up an early reminder about keeping things tidy at the back when Thomas Reilly's rocket shot from 30 yards rebounded back off the bar minutes before Callum Ball should have put Tommy Craig's side ahead.

The opening goal was equally understated for Celtic with a concoction of John Guidetti and Goodwin somehow bundling the ball over the line just moments before the break.

Celtic were also negligent in allowing their hosts a pathway back into the match when poor distribution by keeper Craig Gordon after a crossed ball gave St Mirren an opportunity to test the Hoops defence again.

It was an objective they failed to deal with as Kenny McLean slammed in the equaliser.

However, despite all of that, the Parkhead manager's ability to readjust his team paid dividends.

Anthony Stokes, who was originally deployed out wide on the left, was moved up front alongside Guidetti for the last half an hour.

It took only a matter of minutes before the switch was rewarded as the Irishman's through ball gave his Swedish team-mate time and space to fire under Marian Kello.

"We stuck together as a team in 90 minutes to win the game," said Deila.

"The game was brought back to 1-1 and that was difficult to come back again.

"But we did it, we kept them away from our goal for the last 20 minutes, and that was positive."

Deila may well have garnered more encouragement from Saturday's win in Paisley than the 3-0 League Cup drubbing of Hearts at Parkhead on Wednesday.

His team were in cruise control for most of the second half against Robbie Neilson's SPFL Championship side, who imploded early on in the second half after missing a penalty then conceding one within the space of 90 seconds.

The Celtic manager admitted his tired players were not at their best on Saturday, understandably putting some below-par showings down to a hectic schedule that saw them play three games in the space of six days.

The Norwegian, nevertheless, was well aware of the importance of the triple-header.

Three victories and Celtic's progression and standing in three separate competitions would be cemented.

He also understands what his team will need to produce if they are to make it a hat-trick against a Dinamo Zagreb team who are currently top of their domestic table and leading the way in Celtic's Group D courtesy of a 5-1 thrashing of Romanian outfit Astra Giurgiu.

However, he is confident that the trials and tribulations of the past week - which has seen his team record one draw and two wins - can propel them into Thursday's meeting with the Croatians with momentum and cautious confidence.

"I thought we looked tired against St Mirren," conceded Deila. "I think we were always one metre behind in the second balls and we didn't get compact enough.

"On the ball we took too many touches and didn't get up to the tempo we wanted.

"I know it's tough to play three games. Sometimes it's just about about hard work."

He added: "It's a different game at Celtic Park. The players know this is a huge game and we are looking forward to it."