RONNY DEILA claims tomorrow's meeting with Aberdeen is not a must-win for the champions - but it is for the Dons.

His reasoning is that it's all Derek McInnes' side have to play for having already exited both domestic cups.

Deila explained: "I don"t think it's a cup final for us - I think it's a cup final for Aberdeen. But we want to win and we know what's in it if we win this game.

"It's not over, but we would have put ourselves in a very very good situation. Then it's going to be tough to reach us and take us back."

Grabbing the single spot available for the Champions League qualifiers is more of an ambition than ever for Deila after coming so close against Inter Milan.

He spent the flight back from Italy pouring over footage of Celtic's win over Hamilton last weekend, and revealed: "The league is the most important thing. The only thing I was thinking when I was finished with the game in Milan was. 'I want more of this. I want to play these games at this level,.

"And I saw the players as well. Tomorrow is the time to show that we want that."

Deila is not fooled by attempts by McInnes and his players to talk down their title chances.

The Treble-chasing Hoops boss said: "They don't have anything else to play for, and they strengthened their team in January as well, so of course they are wanting to win the league. If not, why do you even do football?"

Deila reported Leigh Griffiths is recovering quickly from the ankle injury he sustained when accidentally stamped on by Nir Bitton while training in the San Siro.

He might not be fit for tomorrow, another reason to rue the early kick-off time, and Deila is unhappy this key shootout kicks off at high noon.

He accepts those who pay for the TV rights call the tune, but he believes it is showing disrespect to the most important match to be played in Scotland this season to stage it so early so other games down south can have a better slot, including the Championship match between Norwich and Ipswich which follows on Sky Sports 3.

"I understand it is the media controlling it and, because they want to have it on Sky Sports, we have to play before everyone else in England because that it is the most important thing," he said.

"But, when does it stop? Are we going to play at 10 o'clock soon? We have to think of the fans. At 3 o'clock, more people come and it would be a bigger game.

"This is a very big match and it should be the prime time on television."

Asked if Celtic and the Dons deserve more respect, Deila replied: "Yes. I don't think there will be 50,000 at that game down there (Norwich).

"It's a huge game, the support is unbelievable and the interest is very good. But the game is going ahead at 12, and we're going to be ready for that."