Celtic future bright under Ronny Deila - Stefan Johansen

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James Forrest scored a killer second goal for Celtic.Image source, SNS
Image caption,

James Forrest scored Celtic's second goal after Kris Commons' opener

Midfielder Stefan Johansen says "the Celtic future is bright" under manager Ronny Deila following their 2-0 League Cup final victory over Dundee United.

Kris Commons and James Forrest were on target at Hampden, with Forrest also missing a late penalty.

"There's still a long way to go for the treble but this is the first trophy," Johansen told BBC Scotland.

"We struggled in the beginning of the season, but I was sure the gaffer was going to do brilliant things here."

Media caption,

Interviews: Stefan Johansen and Kris Commons

Deila had been under pressure at the beginning of his Celtic Park reign after heavy defeats in the Champions League qualifiers, but his side have lost just once in 2015 and remain on course for a domestic clean sweep.

The Premiership leaders survived a first-half penalty scare when Ryan Dow when down under a challenge from Scott Brown after Commons' opener.

Having created the better chances, Celtic took a firm grip of the game after the interval when United captain Sean Dillon was sent off.

"It's just a fantastic feeling," continued man-of-the-match Johansen, who was a league title winner last season following his January move. "I said when I came to Celtic I wanted to win trophies.

"I enjoy playing under him [Deila], he understands how to get the best out of me, he believes in me. I am really enjoying my football right now."

Image source, SNS
Image caption,

Forrest's goal with 11 minutes to go put the seal on the win for Celtic

Celtic will face Dundee United again on Wednesday in a Scottish Cup quarter-final replay, before the sides meet again on league duty at the weekend as they bid to stretch their three-point lead at the top of the table.

When asked about the prospect of landing the domestic treble in his first season, Deila told BBC Scotland: "That's the dream."

He added: "It's a great feeling. I'm happy for the boys and proud of the boys for the job they did today.

"They [United] are a good team. We knew that, they've shown that all this season. It's so tough to break them down.

Media caption,

Interview: Celtic manager Ronny Deila

"We scored a good goal in the first half and I think after the red card we should have won by more."

Commons, who hit his 11th goal of the season after 28 minutes, added: "It's the first time I've got my hands on this trophy in my time at Celtic.

"Once that goal went in it settled our nerves and we dominated the game.

"When you've got a captain like Scott (Brown), he's a natural leader and natural winner. He's a big, big character in our dressing room as far as team spirit goes. It's been magic from day one here."

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