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Champions Celtic stronger than ever, says Ronny Deila

They managed to win just 12 games last season along with eight draws and their only real success was that they were not involved in the relegation play-off clash.

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But he defied the numerous sceptics by winning the Scottish Football Writers’ player of the year award after returning to football with Celtic last season.

Meanwhile, despite continued speculation linking defender Virgil Van Dijk with a move to the English Premier League, Deila said there were now no bids for his players.

“Hopefully, we can get into Champions League group stages and he can show himself there as well as being the level he plays at”.

“It has been great to enjoy success already and I’m looking forward to giving everything to bring more good times to our supporters who have given me such a tremendous welcome to the Club”.

Championship clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds have been linked with Stokes, who was left of the Celtic squad which claimed a 1-0 victory over Qarabag in their midweek Champions League qualifier.

“We are in a good position”, said the Norwegian.

“We have given him something back for the hard work he has done, so it was positive for him and the club”.

“I can understand the interest from England because he had a very good season last year and he will be even better this year as he’ll get a lot of matches played and get more consistency”.

“I want to play at the highest level I possibly can and so help the team to qualify for the Champions League“.

“Anthony was left out because we found others better, so he has to fight to get back into the team again”.

Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven will have bigger roles to play after being ineligible for Celtic’s domestic cup competitions while Nadir Ciftci will add extra quality up front once he has served a six-match ban for biting Dundee’s Jim McAlister last season.

“There is no reason why we can’t but what we do know that any time you go there you have to bet at your best”.

Scottish Premiership champions Celtic start their quest for a fifth successive title when they kick-off the 2015/16 season against Ross County on Saturday.

“But you will see a very interesting game in the second leg with the support of the fans in Azerbaijan”.

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Gordon made his worldwide comeback in the 3-1 friendly defeat to England last year, coming off the bench at half-time but he expects two very different games next time.

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