Kilmarnock 2-2 Celtic: Ronny Deila wants more discipline

Ronny Deila felt Celtic lacked discipline in the 2-2 draw with Kilmarnock as his side dropped points for the first time this season.

Celtic led twice against Killie and created a host of other chances at Rugby Park.

"That was disappointing," Bhoys manager Deila told BBC Radio Scotland.

"Credit to Kilmarnock that they put us under pressure but also we have to do things differently and be much more disciplined in what we do."

Leigh Griffiths gave Celtic an early lead but Josh Magennis levelled before the break. Nir Bitton's impressive long-range shot put the visitors back in front.

A stylish penalty by Kallum Higginbotham after Emilio Izaguirre had fouled Greg Kiltie ensured a point apiece.

Jamie MacDonald (right) frustrated Celtic with some fine goalkeeping

"We had a lot of chances," said Deila. "We were not clinical enough in the finishing. We gave away way too many goal chances. It's more goal chances today than we have had almost for 10 games.

"We should have led by two or three at the break but we didn't score goals and that's the most important thing in football.

"We need to be 100% switched on defensively and offensively in every game and I expect that we will be back on track again on Saturday.

"We take one point with us, we wanted three but we didn't deserve any more. We didn't score goals and conceded easy goals."

Kris Commons came off in the first half with what Deila revealed was a "dead leg" and Bitton's second-half withdrawal due to a knee problem was described as "nothing serious".

Malmo coach Age Hareide, whose side visit Celtic Park in next week's Champions League play-off first leg, took in the match at Rugby Park.

Hareide will return to Scotland with Malmo next week

When asked about his team's defending, Deila replied: "We have defended very well this year. We have had the best record ever in Scottish football.

"We can defend, we have good players but it's disappointing that we're lacking discipline."

Deila also re-iterated his stance on reported Southampton target Virgil van Dijk.

"We want to keep him, we don't need to sell him and he's going to stay here for the [Champions League] qualifiers anyway," the Norwegian manager said of the Dutch defender.

Killie boss Gary Locke paid tribute to goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald and goalscorer Higginbotham after watching his side pick up their first point of the season.

"He kept us in it," said Locke of his stopper.

"Jamie MacDonald's made some great saves and we've had a couple of chances and are delighted we took them.

"We certainly believed that we could get something out of the game. Obviously, we had to weather a wee storm as well.

"One thing about the lad [Higginbotham], he's confident. He believes in himself. He showed the Kallum Higginbotham that played at Partick last year, showed his qualities.

"He wasn't the only one. You're going to have to have all the players to play well to get a result against Celtic and we had that.

"It's something to build on now. Hopefully that can be the result that kick-starts our season."