Celtic: Ronny Deila wants to assert dominance over Aberdeen

Ronny Deila wants to defeat Aberdeen to emphasise that Celtic are deserving of their title after a season in which he endured "hell" to find "heaven".

Deila's side, who lead by 11 points, finally clinched the Scottish Premiership crown after Sunday's opponents lost to Dundee United.

"We want to show we are the best team in Scotland," said Deila, who admits he had a difficult start in Glasgow.

"The first six month was very tough. but it is a good feeling now."

Deila praised Aberdeen for keeping the title race alive for so long.

"We want to finish the league by winning three games and this game at the weekend is a big game," he said.

"Aberdeen haven't beaten us this season and we want to go into next season the same.

"They were very close in the middle part of the season and they have done a very good job.

"It is a long time since they have been so good and they should be very proud of what they've been doing.

Facing Inter Milan in the Europa League knock-out stage was a highlight for Deila

"They have pushed us, but I think we deserved to win."

Deila admitted that failing to qualify for the Champions League group stages and poor early league form had meant difficult times.

"It is hell or heaven," he said of football management.

"The first six months was very tough when you start the way we did.

"We had the Champions League campaign and it was very hard. I did not feel part of it, but I had to manage it.

"But we went to the Europa League and it was a big thing to get through the group stages.

"The two games against Inter Milan were among the highlights of the season and I thought we deserved more."

Deila was happy that he did not have to endure the kind of final-day title triumph he faced against Rosenborg while with Stromsgodset.

"I have experienced winning it on the last day and that was a great moment, but it's a tough, unbelievably tense moment as well," he added.

"It is about getting the trophy and the quicker the better in my opinion.

"It has been an unbelievably good experience for me."