TV a turn-off for Celtic boss Ronny Deila

Deila joined the debate in the wake of the fixtures farce over the final day of the Championship season and believes the power of TV has reached a critical point.

Celtic take on Inverness in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup semi-final at 12.15pm, having only played at 3pm on a Saturday four times this season.

Delia believes fans are being short-changed and the authorities must take control.

The Norwegian said: “TV is an issue that I don’t like in terms of the kick-off times. It should not be TV that controls football – it should be the opposite.

“It should be about the supporters and the clubs so that they can make money by getting people into the stands because that is what we live for.

“I understand the economics of it are so important, but then television takes control.

“I don’t like that. It’s not the best for people who like football. I don’t like it that television is telling us when we’re playing. We want to set the time ourselves.”

Deila is used to 6pm Sunday slots in his homeland and feels 3pm on a Saturday should be the rule rather than the exception in Scotland.

“It’s so hard to plan the weekend with the family and also get to the games,” he said. “If Saturday at three o’clock is the best for Scotland, we should play more at that time.

“I would also rather play at six in the evening than 12 in the morning.

“Football should be played at night because you get a better atmosphere. It’s a big problem. We need supporters to come to the games. We need interest and television needs it as well.

“If there are no people in the stadiums, it will be more boring to watch.

“Communication is very important. It’s the same with chief executive Peter Lawwell. I want certain things and he wants his things. We put our points across hard and then compromise.

“It should be the same between the clubs and television – give and take.”

Celtic will be without cup-tied Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven tomorrow, as well as the suspended Anthony Stokes.