NEEDS A DOUBLE, writes Graeme Macpherson

It is not looking good for Ronny, that much is very clear. But it is also not the end of the world. Celtic are still top of the league, three points clear and with a superior goal difference. They have a tie against non-league East Kilbride in the Scottish Cup on Sunday with a place in the quarters awaiting them. So they remain in good shape to complete a domestic double. Truth is, Ronnie desperately needs to win both trophies if he has any chance of surviving until the summer and beyond. Failure in Europe and in the League Cup are already on the charge sheet. But if he can rescue the season by claiming both the title and Scottish Cup then it will show there is hope for him yet. It would demonstrate there is sufficient resolve in both him and his players to turn things around.

Aberdeen are not going away but if Celtic can hold them off to retain the title, and find a way beyond the likes of Rangers/Kilmarnock and Hearts/Hibs to triumph at Hampden, then it may be a sign that Deila could yet be the man for Celtic. But he can’t afford any more slip-ups. A premature Scottish Cup exit, or if Aberdeen should get a lead in the league, then the Celtic board will need to act. Not making the Champions League qualifiers is unthinkable.

The board may also be reluctant to pull the trigger at this point in the season. Who could they get in? Michael O’Neill won’t leave Northern Ireland until after the Euros, Alan Stubbs is still in the infancy of his managerial career and the Ryan Giggs rumour seems a non-starter and would hardly qualify as an upgrade. A steadying hand like Davie Moyes or Paul Lambert could be tempted but it shouldn’t come to that just yet. This has been a bad week for Deila but it is in his own hands to rescue the situation. But he needs that double.

 

NEEDS A MIRACLE, says Graeme McGarry

Contrary to popular belief, there isn’t any great clamour amongst the Scottish football writing fraternity to see Ronny Deila lose his job. He is one of the nicest men you’ll ever meet, and he is willing to be expansive and is often interesting on any manner of topics that are put his way.

Unfortunately, results over the last two matches may well see a lot of fans lose patience with a manager who preaches progress when there is scant evidence that any exists.

There is a question here as to what a Celtic manager should be judged upon. Is it success in Europe? Is it a domestic treble? A double? Squeaking the league over Aberdeen? The fear for Celtic under Ronny Deila is that expectation levels are getting so low the latter option might become acceptable to the Celtic faithful.

Deila’s successes last season, which were the bare minimum expected at the time, show no signs of being repeated.

This season’s European campaign was an unmitigated disaster, his side are out of the League Cup and they now lead Aberdeen at the top of the table by just three points.

The manner of the defeats to Ross County and Aberdeen may be the most alarming aspect, as it appeared that Deila’s Celtic side simply did not have the heart for the battle in either match.

The majority of his signings have not fared well either, and if Celtic are serious about qualification for the Champions League next season, then they will be taking a massive risk by placing their trust in Deila to recruit the players to get them there.

The sad truth is, they might not even qualify for the qualifiers the way things are going.