Celtic 4-1 Kilmarnock: No Hampden tiredness - Ronny Deila

Image source, SNS

Image caption, Celtic manager Ronny Deila (left) with hat-trick hero Leigh Griffiths

Ronny Deila assured the Celtic fans his team will be fresh for Sunday's Scottish Cup semi-final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The Norwegian boss saw his side toil for over an hour at home to Kilmarnock before Leigh Griffiths came off the bench to score a hat-trick in a 4-1 win.

Deila had made four changes with the Hampden clash against John Hughes' men on the horizon.

"We are used to it," he told 91热爆 Scotalnd. "Four days rest is much different than three days. So we are going to be rested and ready for Sunday."

Darryl Westlake gave the visitors a shock lead at Celtic Park, but after Kris Commons' equaliser, the hosts took full control and now move eight points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership.

"I think in the first half, defensively, it was very good," said Deila. "They didn't have the ball almost and they didn't have a shot for 55 minutes.

"That's good, we passed it quite well, but it was too slow and we needed more forward passing and more movement in behind them.

"But much better in the second half and we got our goals.

"You can tell it when you play and play and don't create anything, you're just waiting for that chance to come, and a shot from distance, a deflection, and it goes in.

"But we showed great character in the team to turn it around and 4-1 is very good."

Kilmarnock manager Gary Locke praised his side despite the heavy scoreline.

"For a good 65 minutes, the game plan was working a treat. Sammy Clingan felt he got fouled in the build up to the first goal and it gets them back in the game.

"I was proud of the performance. I thought the players worked the game plan to a treat and maybe on another night we'd have held on.

"When we went a goal ahead, the fans were starting to get frustrated with them, which is what you're wanting to happen here.

"I certainly thought 4-1 was harsh on us because we contributed a lot to the game."

Kilmarnock are only seven points clear of the play-off spot currently occupied by Motherwell and Locke wants his side to ensure they stave off any threat of relegation sooner rather than later.

"We've got to make sure we get a couple of wins as soon as possible," he warnd.