RONNY DEILA claims Stefan Johansen is proving he is getting back to his best as Celtic stand on the verge of a momentous double header.

The Norwegian has been criticised by many for not living up to the potential he showed last campaign in a season that saw him win two Player of the Year awards.

Deila concedes that his fellow countryman has struggled to rekindle that form during the early part of this term.

But after a solid showing in the 5-0 win over Dundee United before a commanding performance against Hearts in the absence of skipper Scott Brown, the Celtic manager has hailed Johansen’s resurgence.

“I think that is his best position,” said Deila of the role Johansen performed in the 2-1 Tynecastle League Cup triumph.

“As a No.6 together in the same position as Broonie and Nir [he is most suited], but he can also be a No.10.

“He is a hardworking player with very good technique. His creative side also comes together more maybe when he is playing in that central role, so that’s good.

“I think he will agree that he should have performed better [this season]. He has been unlucky with a lot of injuries and hadn’t played for full. But he feels better now and in the two last games he has played excellently.”

When asked if his showing against Hearts was his best of the season so far, he said: “I think Sunday was also good. I think he is comfortable in that position as that’s where he plays for Norway and that’s where he played for as well at Stromsgodset.”

His return to form could not have come at a better time for Celtic given the important week ahead and the potential to be without their captain for it.

Brown went for a scan yesterday to assess the problem with his knee, with it unclear if he will be back in time to firstly face Aberdeen tomorrow at Parkhead before Molde come to Glasgow on Thursday in the Europa League.

The victory over Hearts kicked off the important phase in style, and Deila is looking for the confidence garnered from that victory and performance to help carry his team through a testing week.

He said: “It is a massive run of games and the win against Hearts was very important because if you lose you are out of the League Cup.

“Still we are now in everything, we have a semi-final to look forward to. Saturday we can really put ourselves a good step away from Aberdeen and we will put everything in to winning on Saturday.”

As things stand, Celtic are still in the running for all three domestic trophies, a landmark achievement that Deila has previously stated he has a strong desire for.

However, at the moment he is refusing to look too far ahead.

“I have learned how hard it is to talk about these things. It’s so small details that get you there,” said Deila.

“What we can do now is focus on one game at a time and now we are in the semi-final of a league cup, which is very, very good.”