Dundee United 0 - Celtic 2: Celts boss Deila is hoping Brown learns his lesson

RONNY DEILA collected his first piece of silverware as Celtic manager after the Hoops beat Dundee United to claim the QTS League Cup.

Celtic skipper Scott Brown carries his son Shay and the League CupKENNY RAMSEY

Celtic skipper Scott Brown carries his son Shay and the League Cup

But his celebrations were tempered by his annoyance at the pre-match antics of his captain and the unsavoury tussle over who should take a penalty in their Hampden victory.

The two issues threatened to over-shadow this 2-0 triumph that Deila hopes will spark a Hoops treble and he admitted lessons will have to be learned. 

Deila addressed ‘Brown-gate’ first after pictures appeared of his captain looking less than sober slumped on an Edinburgh pavement on Wednesday night – and he maintained: “We have a reputation to take care of and the way the pictures appeared in the newspaper was nothing for him or me to be proud of, although for me it is not a big issue. 

“He was home at 10.30 yet it looks like he was home at six in the morning. He was drinking, he had a day off the day after and I have no rules about that.

“I said the players have to be fit – and Scott Brown is the fittest player we have – but we have to learn from this.

“When you play for Celtic, everybody chases you and you don’t get the personal time. You have to always know what you are doing. This is something everybody has to learn from – but, again, it was not a big issue for me.”

Deila was asked if his captain had apologised and added: “He was not happy about it but he didn’t do anything big or harmful for me. It’s just not a positive example for youngsters.

“But Broony has played 60 or 65 matches this year, he had a day off and wanted to be out with his friends. As I said, he was home at 10.30pm but it’s about pictures and how you get hunted by the media. There is no disciplinary situation.

“We will see if he learns in the future but he made up for it today when he played a very good game.”

Deila then spoke about the late penalty that Celtic players squabbled over.

James Forrest won it when he was bundled over by Paul Dixon and the substitute wasn’t about to hand the spot-kick responsibility to anyone else, even if he then saw his effort saved by Radoslaw Cierzniak.

A clearly unhappy Hoops boss said: “Both of the players who were going to take any penalty, Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons, were off the park. 

“It looks like it was the first to the ball but I don’t like that they argue about that. It is stupid. That is not the team spirit I want. We have to learn from the situation.

“John Guidetti was unhappy, for instance, and there is a lot of emotion in these situations with strikers wanting to score goals. 

“Again, we have to put the team in front of ourselves. It is something we have to learn from. This is not about team spirit. It is individual thinking and I don’t want anything to do with that.” 

But on winning his first cup with Celtic, Deila said: “It’s a great feeling and a good start getting that first trophy. 

“We should enjoy the moment – with no nightlife! It gives you the appetite for more.

“I’m happy for the boys and for everyone at the club. 

“We did a professional performance. Hopefully, it’s the first part of treble and that’s the dream.”

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