Celtic: Ronny Deila happy to prove critics wrong after nomination

Celtic came back from a goal down to win at Pittodrie in November

Celtic manager Ronny Deila said he always knew he could turn things around after he was named amongst the nominees for PFA Scotland manager of the year.

The Norwegian made the shortlist of four alongside Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes, Inverness' John Hughes and Hearts head coach Robbie Neilson.

Deila pointed to November as to when he finally won over a sceptical Celtic support after a difficult start.

"I think the Aberdeen game away when I showed some emotion," said Deila.

Celtic failed to qualify for the Champions League group stage under Deila.

"I am an emotional guy, but if you are too emotional you don't make the right choices," he said.

"When you feel safe and you feel that you are going in the right direction, it is easier to show what you feel and now I'm just enjoying the moment and looking forward to every game."

Deila joined Celtic after leaving Stromsgodset in his homeland last summer.

"One of the reasons I came to Celtic is because I knew they had experienced leadership," he said. "The decision to bring me in was a very high risk decision to make.

"Hopefully I have shown I am capable of doing what they want me to do.

Ronny Deila experienced tough times at the start of his Celtic reign, including a 6-1 aggregate loss to Legia Warsaw in Europe

"The culture here is much different. It is much more result thinking here. The pressure is much harder.

"We try to change this because we want to win games, but we need to think about how we win games.

"But I think the mentality here is better than the club I was with in Norway."

Deila said he had voted for Hughes, McInnes and Dundee United's Jackie McNamara for manager of the year.

"It is a big honour and it's a statement that we've done something well," he said.

"For me, it's important to share these things with my team, my staff and my players.

"We have done well this year and we just have to finish it off."

Celtic could clinch the title this weekend should they defeat Dundee on Friday and Aberdeen fail to pick up three points away to Dundee United the following day.

"It's up to us. If we win and Aberdeen lose points then we win [the title] on the Saturday," he said.

"We want to win all the games that are left and we're going to have some good moments in the next four games.

"On Friday, it's a very important game and I hope we can make it a memorable night."