RONNY DEILA has been urged to bring Kris Commons out of the cold and allow him to prove he can fire Celtic to Old Firm success.

The former Scotland internationalist is a player with a pedigree as impressive as this year’s Crufts winner.

Time and again the 32-year-old has delivered for his club when they needed a shot of inspiration, most notably perhaps in the last meeting of Rangers and Celtic little over a year ago when his 20-yard screamer put the League Cup semi-final beyond any doubt.

Time and again he has been brought in to provide that bit of quality to turn a game. So much so it begs the question – why leave him out in the first place?

Commons has not featured in Celtic’s last three games as Gary Mackay-Steven and Colin Kazim-Richards have been given the nod in his place. It is a decision to leave the man whose goal four years ago put Celtic through to the last 16 of the Champions League out of such a crucial stage of the season that has perplexed many. Including Stephen Pearson.

The Motherwell and former Celtic midfielder played with Commons at Derby and has been at a loss to see him used so sparingly in recent weeks.

With a match of such magnitude this weekend as Deila's side take on Rangers in the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final, Pearson is hopeful the Norwegian knows his history and plays the man he believes lives for this sort of occasion.

“Kris is a big game player and to be honest I’m very surprised that he has not been playing,” said Pearson. “I don’t know if there’s been something more there but from speaking to Kris he’s hopeful that he can play.

“He has the quality to score out of nothing and in these big games it can often take that moment of brilliance to win. He’s the type of player who can produce that bit of quality so I’m sure that most Celtic supporters would hope that he is in the team.

“But they have Leigh Griffiths up front who has been banging in the goals so they’ll be looking to him to be their main man again.”

He added: “I know Kris Commons well, I played at Derby with him. I was chatting to him after our game at the weekend. He’ll be looking forward to the game.

“He was disappointed not to be in the side last week but he’s hopeful that he’ll get the nod for the big game come Sunday.”

While Pearson’s links with Commons and Celtic may give the midfielder a slight leaning towards the Premiership leaders this Sunday anyway, the man who has been crucial in Motherwell’s midfield for the last two seasons has a tangible reason for wearing his green and white hat.

If Deila’s team go on to lift the Scottish Cup, the resulting Europa League qualifying place will be handed down to the team that finishes the top flight in fourth position. With five games to go, guess who currently occupies that lofty perch?

“I’ll have my Celtic hat on this weekend because if Celtic win the Scottish Cup it leaves it wide open for anyone body else who finishes fourth that there’s an opportunity to play in Europe,” said Pearson.

“I have already said to him [Commons] that we need a favour so he knows. Obviously for Celtic it’s all about the bragging rights and reaching the cup final but they can help us too.”

Stephen Pearson was speaking at the launch of the Longest Day Golf Challenge to raise funds for MacMillan Cancer Support. To sponsor, ,please visit the Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/David-Clarkson9