Molde vs Celtic - Celtic boss Ronny Deila: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival won't change Molde
Posted Thursday, October 22, 2015 by PA
Ronny Deila will not expect anything revolutionary about Molde following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's return to the club ahead of their Europa League clash with Celtic on Thursday night.
The former Manchester United striker was in charge of the Tippeligaen outfit for three years before joining Cardiff City in January, 2014.
However, his ill-fated spell at the Welsh club lasted less than nine months and he was reinstated at Molde just over 24 hours before the Group A clash with the Hoops in Norway.
Solskjaer insists he will take a back seat for the Celtic game and allow Erling Moe, in caretaker charge since Tor Ole Skullerud departed in August, to carry out his gameplan.
However, fellow Norwegian Deila, speaking ahead of training at the Aker Stadion - which reverts to its former name Molde Stadion for European nights due to issues with sponsorship - believes the transition will be seamless anyway.
"They have worked together many years and they know each other well," said the Parkhead manager.
"Solskjaer built the club up together with a lot of the people who are here now.
"It is not so long since he was last here and 90 per cent of the players played under him the last time.
"He is coming back and the club is in good condition so I don't think they will revolutionise the team or do something very different."
After a win in Fenerbahce in their Group A opener and a draw at home to Ajax, Molde are top of the section with four points, two ahead of the Scottish champions.
Deila, who claimed Croatian defender Jozo Simunovic has a chance of being involved despite returning from injury for the first time since his debut against Ajax in September, is impressed by the Norwegian club's start to the campaign.
"I am not sure if I am surprised, I am impressed that they have got four points," he said.
"Winning in Turkey is always hard and they got a point against Ajax at home. I think they have done a very good job."
Deila denied feeling extra pressure on returning to his homeland with Celtic but admits natural pride will see him going all out to fashion a win for the Scottish champions.
He said: "There is pressure every time we play at Celtic and the big goal is to get through in the Europa League.
"It is a big game tomorrow and a good opportunity to get three points.
"I have pride all the time. I hate losing. I want to win every game we go into.
"Tomorrow is going to be the same. I want three points and I want a good performance and hopefully I will be smiling on the plane home."
Norway international Stefan Johansen, back from a knock which kept him out of the 1-0 win over Motherwell at the weekend, wants show that he has improved since joining Celtic in January 2014 but admits it will be no easy task.
"You always want to show that you have developed as a player, of course," said the midfielder.
"But it is going to be a tough game. They have done well and we need to be at our best to beat them.
"When Ole was here last time he built a really good team which won the league and a lot of the players he brought in then are still here now.
"I know most of their players. They are great players and some play with the national team as well so, as I say, we need to be at our best to win."
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