RONNY DEILA has praised the resurgence of Emilio Izaguirre and revealed the Honduran had to be told some harsh home truths when his form deserted him.

Celtic's 29-year-old left-back was superb in Baku against Qarabag last week and his performance against Partick Thistle at the weekend was close to the level which saw him win Player of the Year in his first season in Scotland.

Deila dropped Izaguirre in Iceland for the match against FC Stjarnan but since then the player has rediscovered his form and will start against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park tonight.

The Celtic boss revealed: "I have been talking to Emilio all the time. He has been picking up a lot of things and has been better.

"We need everyone to be sharp into the games, which he has been, and I have been pleased with him.

"He was great against Qarabag last week, especially defensively, and that has been his biggest issue.

"That and also his crossing he has been working on. Emilio is doing well right now."

Celtic travel to Ayrshire with Charlie Mulgrew back in the squad, but without Stuart Armstrong who was substituted in the first-half at Firhill on Sunday and captain Scott Brown who is still protecting a slight hamstring strain.

Nadir Ciftci's domestic suspension kicks back in, which means Leigh Griffiths will start on a ground where he has enjoyed himself in the past.

Even if he's not so keen n the surface.

Griffiths said: "The team’s began the season well with two two-goal victories and two clean sheets. You couldn’t ask for any more.

“Rugby Park is a happy hunting ground for me, too. The last time I was there I scored a hat-trick for Hibs in the Scottish Cup.

“But I’m not a fan of Astro Turf but it’s Kilmarnock’s pitch and it’s up to them what they do with it.

“We’ll just get the ball down and play some football. You get all different kinds of artificial pitches and, to be honest, our lads were shocked to discover how good theirs was when we played there last season.

“You need to keep the ball down on it, especially if it’s raining because the ball just fizzes off the surface if you play it long."

Celtic have this match against Kilmarnock and Saturday's visit of Inverness Caledonian Thistle before Malmo arrived on these shores next week for the first-leg of the Champions League qualifier.

Griffiths, understandably, is already looking ahead to the meeting with the Swedes.

He said: "It would be massive for me and the other boys who haven’t played Champions League football before.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to attend a Champions League game at Celtic Park but it’s where you want to test yourself as a player.

"There is no bigger stage in football."