RONNY Deila today backed teenage Celtic right back Saidy Janko to cope with the Champions League showdown with Malmo if Mikael Lustig fails to recover from a hamstring injury.

Swedish internationalist Lustig travelled with the rest of the Celtic squad to his homeland yesterday ahead of the second leg of the play-off.

The defender was stretchered off in the first leg at Celtic Park last week and his gaffer has admitted he remains a serious doubt for the rematch with Age Hareide’s side here this evening.

However, Deila, whose side hold a narrow 3-2 lead going into the game in the Swedbank Stadium, is confident that Janko will be a more than adequate replacement for Lustig if he is called upon.

The Swiss 19-year-old, a summer signing from Manchester United, played for the full 90 minutes in Celtic’s 3-2 win over Ladbrokes Premiership rivals Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday and did well.

“We will see tomorrow if he (Lustig) is ready or not,” said Deila. “But we have taken him with us because he has a chance. He hasn’t done any work since he got the injury last week, just rest and treatment.

“He (Janko) did himself a lot of good on Saturday. He played well. He showed he is capable of doing well in that position.”

The alternative to bringing in Janko if Lustig fails to be passed fit would be fielding centre half Efe Ambrose out of position at right back – a prospect which not many Celtic fans would find appealing given his past misdemeanours there.

The Nigerian, though, retains the faith of a manager who has promised to resist the temptation to sit back and defend a lead in a game which is worth in the region of £15 million to the Parkhead club.

Deila said: “Efe has played in many fantastic games for Celtic. I know his strengths and I know his weaknesses. But he is an experienced player.”

Meanwhile, Deila stressed he harbours no concerns about the mindset of Virgil van Dijk amid widespread speculation that this game could be the Dutch centre half’s final appearance for Celtic before a move to England.

Deila said: “His head is here with Celtic, that’s for sure. He has played very well in the recent games and he will be very motivated going into this one. I have no worries about Virgil whatsoever because I haven’t seen anything until now. He is focused.

“In the home game he was very good, especially in the first half. He was vital for us and he’s going to be very important for us in this game also.”