RONNY DEILA last night admitted Nadir Ciftci is struggling for confidence but remained faithful the striker can make it at Celtic.

The Turk had a poor game in the home defeat to Motherwell and will make now way for Leigh Griffiths who is expected to return for next Sunday's clash with Hearts at Tynecastle.

Ciftci, 23, has managed just four goals in his 20 appearances so far, including a double last week at St Johnstone, and his manager knows that the supporters remain wholly unconvinced by the £1.5m summer signing from Dundee United.

Deila said: "Nadir has shown quality, but he has been a little bit up and down. We need to get some consistency in his performances.

“It is hard to say what we need to do with him. It is a lot of things.

"The biggest thing is confidence and that has to be built through good performances in training and then in matches.

“When Nadir does that over time, that is when he will grow as a player.

“Leigh is an important player for us, of course. He is our top scorer.

“But we were without Leigh against St Johnstone away. Nadir was fantastic and nobody spoke about him.

“It does seem that every time we have a bad result we talk about one player.”

Celtic are looking to bring in another attacking player next month and Deila once more intimated that he is looking for an older head.

Deila said: "We are looking at different types of players. We have a lot of talent, but we need some experience in the team. That is important."

Former Celtic striker Andy Walker, meanwhile, described his old team as "dull" and "uninspiring" and insisted the fans have began to turn on the manager.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Walker was damning about Celtic's form at home and in the European campaign.

Walker said: "Their style of play is pretty dull and uninspiring. Motherwell were ambitious under Mark McGhee, very energetic, and they played with a couple of strikers.

“Celtic at home are normally very good. They had a difficult away game against St Johnstone last weekend and scored three goals.

“But at home, in front of your own supporters, I really do think you have to send a message that you know what you’re doing.

“I think there is a growing feeling of resentment amongst the Celtic supporters that Ronny Deila might not be up to it.

“There is no evidence that Ronny Deila has the knowledge to get through the Champions League qualifiers next year.

“The European results have been really embarrassing and there is no evidence that he is learning from these European defeats."

For all his reservations about the team and manager, Walker could not see past Celtic for the league title, despite Aberdeen's fine run of results taking them to within a point.

The ex-Celt turned pundit said: "I think they will still go on and secure the title, they might win another cup or two.

“If Aberdeen can put together the run that they had at the start of the season hopefully they can push Celtic all the way.

“But with Celtic’s strength and resources, and ability to do business in January, I still think they’ll come good in the end.”