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Celtic boss Ronny Deila laughs off Malmo criticism

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 19 : Johan Wiland of  Malmo celebrates after Jo Inge Berget goal early in the second half during the UEFA Champions League Quali
Image: Johan Wiland of Malmo celebrates Malmo's second goal against Celtic.

Ronny Deila refused to get into a war of words with Malmo keeper Johan Wiland after he accused Celtic of "acting like pigs and children" in their Champions League play-off tie.

The Hoops boss has also refuted the claim of the Swedish club's boss Age Hareide, that the Scottish champions "do not have the legs for 90 minutes".

Wiland made the comments after Malmo were beaten 3-2 by Celtic in the first-leg encounter at Parkhead on Wednesday evening.

Quoted on the Kvallsposten newspaper's website, the 34-year-old keeper said: "They are pigs, everybody, that's it."

Image: Leigh Griffiths celebrates the first of his two goals against Malmo

Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths netted two goals but did not impress Wiland who said: "Griffiths is, I do not know what to say. He behaves like a child."

Celtic manager Deila revealed that the hamstring injury Mikael Lustig picked up during the game was not as serious as first thought which leaves him with a chance for the return game in Malmo next Tuesday night.

However, ahead of the trip to Dundee United in the Premiership on Saturday lunchtime, Deila was not keen to respond to the "pigs" comment which, reportedly, Wiland has subsequently tried to soften.

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"We can't go to that level, that is not Celtic," said the Norwegian. "It is up to them to say whatever they want.

Image: Nir Bitton powers home Celtic's second goal against Malmo

"I watched the game one more time and I didn't see any trouble. It was a fair game and as far as I remember we won 3-2. That was a result that we are happy with and we have a good opportunity to go through in Malmo."

Deila, with some humour, shrugged of Hareide's fitness analysis and reminded his fellow Norwegian that Celtic had won the first leg.

He said: "It is not anything new for him. It is up to him what he says. He is a funny guy, this is funny. I have seen it before and I also have to say that I don't think we lost the game.

"It seems like they have won three or four zero when he talks. I don't see the tiredness. I don't think we seemed tired against Qarabag (in the previous round).

He is a funny guy, this is funny. I have seen it before and I also have to say that I don't think we lost the game.
Ronny Deila on Malmo boss Age Hareide

"Every game has different things in it. We were disappointed that we conceded in the last second but we won and we have a good opportunity on Tuesday."

Deila is looking for a win at Tannadice to take to Sweden next week.

He said: "We want to win tomorrow, that is important. Dundee United is always a tough place to go and we have to be really prepared for the game and we will be ready."

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