Ronny Deila has insisted that all eyes are on Ross County tomorrow afternoon – although Celtic will continue to plot a way past Qarabag and into the UEFA Champions League play-offs.

The Hoops will raise the Championship flag against Ross County in the opening day of the season tomorrow lunchtime but it is a game that has slipped under the radar given the magnitude of the Champions League qualifiers this month.

However, Deila has insisted that the Parkhead side are ready to slip back into domestic mode as they prepare to get their defence of the SPFL title under way.

And the Celtic manager was insistent that domestic games need to carry just as much weight as the drama of European nights.

“Without winning the league we would not have these games so it is important that we also focus on our league duties and make sure we are as consistent as we possibly can be,” said the Celtic manager.

“We are looking forward to lifting the flag. It is a great day for the club and its supporters and hopefully it is the start of another strong season for us.

“We want to get off to a good start but, of course, we also want to do everything we can to get into the Champions League.”

In that regard, the whistle will barely have blown on the Ross County match when Celtic will be heading to Azerbaijan to prepare for their third round, second leg tie against Qarabag.

And while Deila is bracing himself for an intense 90 minutes he is also looking for ways in which Celtic can leave having secured a play-off position for the Champions League.

“We have to move the ball quicker and get more crosses in,” said the Celtic manager. “There are things we need to improve on.

“We had the ball a lot and I am happy with that – there would have been more trouble if they had it.

“It will be tough in Azerbaijan but we have given ourselves a good opportunity.

“They opened up a bit when it went to 1-0 and we could maybe have gone for two but we were tiring a bit then. I am pleased. We can always expect 100% effort and we got that.

“Craig Gordon was not really tested but the two central defenders in front of him were excellent. We have a steady back four now and that is important for games like this.

“European football is very close.

“This team has done very well in Europe in the last year so to keep a clean sheet and score a goal give us a good opportunity to get through.”

And Deila confirmed that the dilemma over who spearheads the Celtic attack is something that has kept him awake.

Leigh Griffiths will be back in the starting line-up for tomorrow’s game against Ross County with Nadir Ciftci suspended and it is an opportunity for the Scotland forward to further press home his case for inclusion on Wednesday night.

“I was satisfied with the work rate of Nadir against Qarabag,” said Deila. “We have two good strikers. All week I was not sure. I would say right up until the day of the game I was not certain but then when Leigh had toothache and had missed out on a good sleep that made the decision easier for me but there is a lot to think about there. But I think we got it right.

“And I do think we can score over there.

“Set plays are a strength that we have and that will be important in Azerbaijan.

“We are looking to improve all the time but we try not to look too far ahead. We will plan but we have a strong squad and it will be a strong team on Saturday.”