Celtic manager Ronny Deila is confident the club will achieve qualification to the Champions League group stage during his time in charge.

The Norwegian has been unable to guide the club into Europe’s premier club competition in both of his first two seasons in Glasgow, with Tuesday night’s 2-0 second-leg defeat [Celtic lost 4-3 on aggregate] at the hands of Malmo following up a similar disappointment against Maribor 12 months ago.

The 39-year-old admitted the whole club were feeling deflated following the aggregate loss to the Swedish champions, but he insists his side are on the right path to secure qualification in the near future.

He told reporters: “That’s a hypothetical question. I think we are going to be in the Champions League while I am the manager. We are closer. Hopefully we get another chance next year by winning the league and then we will see.”

The former Stromsgodset boss believes the club still have a lot to play for this season as they aim to retain their Scottish Premiership title and progress in the three cup competitions they are currently in.

He continued: “You can’t say that the season is gone. We have been going for one month and hadn’t lost a game before this game. We are very disappointed because it [Champions League] was a big target but there is so much to go for.”

The Bhoys are next in action against St Johnstone on Saturday at Parkhead and they are available at 1.18 to return to winning ways in the match, whilst the visitors are on offer at 17.00 and the draw is quoted 7.00.