Celtic Eased Off The Gas

Last updated : 15 December 2014 By Ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphpC4D1.tmpRonny Deila felt Celtic could have racked up 10 goals as they swept aside struggling St Mirren 4-1 at Parkhead on Sunday. Celtic are now six points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership after Scott Brown's early double helped them into a 3-1 lead inside 18 minutes and nearest rival Inverness lost 4-0 to Partick Thistle at home. James Forrest and Anthony Stokes were the other scorers, although the latter, along with Stefan Johansen, John Guidetti, Nir Biton and substitute Stefan Scepovic all missed good chances to extend Celtic’s winning margin.  

Deila said: "We are creating chances and that is positive. Also, some of the attacks are the way I want to attack, with opposite movements and three players involved. There were some good attacks and we are playing more forward now as well. There is also a quick reaction to winning the ball back. There were a lot of pleasing things but again I was thinking 'is this enough? Should we be scoring more goals? That's something we have to work on if we are going to improve – we need to be more clinical. It's hard sitting here and being critical when you’re winning 4-1 and we could have scored 10 but again that shows the potential in the team."

Meanwhile, St Mirren's caretaker manager Gary Teale tried to remain upbeat following the heavy defeat in Glasgow, saying: "I take a lot of positives because of the chances we created. But the goals we concede are far too easy and I need to change the mentality on that because it can't continue. Celtic are always going to create chances but if we come here and create chances, then we know the confidence is going to come back."

As for throwing his hat into the ring regarding the managerial vacancy at the Saints, Teale added: "It's something I'm confident I can do, and even if offered the job here I would be over the moon to accept. But that's not a decision for me. The whole experience has been a bit of a whirlwind and I have probably not slept. I'm sitting here as if I will be in charge next weekend but that can obviously change."