Deila praises Celtic players as he focuses on positives

The Hoops fell behind to an early goal at New Douglas Park as Gramoz Kurtaj slotted home a fourth minute opener for Hamilton before Dedryk Boyata levelled in the 26th minute and Leigh Griffiths headed home a 31st minute winner for Celtic.

The win ended a run of two consecutive draws for Celtic who were held to a goalless draw at home by Hearts last weekend before surrendering a two-goal advantage against Fenerbahce in their 2-2 Europa League encounter on Thursday.

Deila admitted his side hadn't been at their best but claimed they deserved some luck after dropping points in dominant performances against Kilmarnock and Hearts this season.

"Today was about attitude and about turning around a bad start. We did that and that shows character," the Celtic manager said.

"You could say we were a little bit lucky today. We were not very effective, we didn't create much and we didn't play well. But if you saw the other games we've been involved in then you will know that we should have much more points that we have.

"We should have won away to Kilmarnock and we should have definitely won against Hearts at home so sometimes you get something and sometimes you lose out.

"Today was just about hard work and staying in there to get the three points.

"It was tough and they were physical. They caused us some problems but I am happy to get the three points."

Deila's defence has come in for criticism in recent weeks as individual errors have proved costly at home and in Europe.

Efe Ambrose's mistake against Fenerbahce allowed the Turkish champions back into the game after the Hoops had held a two-goal lead and Kurtaj's goal for Hamilton came after centre-half Tyler Blackett had missed a header and Boyata had been outmuscled on the ball.

However, the Norwegian, whose side have now closed to within one point of leaders Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership, said he was tired of everyone focussing on the negatives as he went on the attack.

"Why can't we talk about the goals we scored? Why is it always the negative?," Deila said.

"I'm proud of the boys as that's four times in a row we've taken three points after Europe this season. Look at other teams in Europe and see if anybody else has done that. "I am very tired talking about negative things. We played against Fenerbahce, who are a good team and have some quite good players, and we got a draw.

"Yes, there was a defensive mistake there but there were some good things as well and we scored two good goals.

"Sometimes we have to turn these things around as there is a lot of positives there as well.

"We have played ten matches in the league now and we have seven victories, two draws and another defeat. I don't think that's so bad.

"It's better than last year and we are on the right way. We want to win trophies and we want to go through in Europe as well. These boys are working every day to do that.

"We can't play Play Station football every time. Sometimes we have to fight and we did that today."