Ronny Deila has thanked Hoops chief executive Peter Lawwell for his public show of support at the club’s AGM yesterday morning.

Lawwell insisted that the club retain a belief that Deila is the right man to take Celtic forward, despite the failure to take the club into the group stages of the UEFA Champions League.

It was a show of faith that Deila appreciated and he has stressed that it remains possible for him to be successful as a Celtic manager.

“It’s always important to hear but it was not a big surprise for me as I talk to him [Lawwell] every day,” said Deila. “It’s nice to hear in public and important for the fans as well.

“I am aware of the history of the club and I know other managers have had backing after struggling at the start. They have been allowed to do their own jobs and build their own team.

“That gives me confidence. It was the same in Stromsgodset. There were tough times in the first two years. We were bottom of the league when I got a new contract.

“But from there we rose up. I don’t get stressed about it because I know the people understand we are building something.

“They are supportive of the process and everyone believes in what we are doing at Lennoxtown.

“I see we will get there in the end. I am not talking about in Scotland. We have done well there, I am talking about getting into the Champions League.”

Meanwhile, Deila has confirmed that Ryan Christie appears to have played his last game for Inverness. The striker was signed by Celtic this summer but released back to the Highlanders on a season long loan deal with a view to being recalled in January.

The player will see a knee specialist after being injured playing for Inverness and he will not be heading back to team up with John Hughes’ side.

“We’ve taken him in now,” said Deila. “He’ll be out for 6-8 weeks, so he’ll start training with us and working with the medical department now. I think he will have played his last game for Inverness.”

Meanwhile, Jozo Simunovic is fit to play against Kilmarnock today as his Tom Rogic, both of whom returned early from international duty over injury concerns. Kris Commons will miss the game with a thigh injury and a sickness bug while Charlie Mulgrew has resumed training but will need a few weeks before his back in contention to play.

Deila will allow the players who were on international duty to take a breather with the exception of Mikael Lustig who is expected to feature against Killie.