Norwegian surprise front runner for Celtic job

Norwegian Ronny Deila is the surprise new front-runner to become Celtic manager – but the chairman of his current club says the Hoops will have a fight luring him to Scotland.

Delia, 38, guided Stromsgodset to their first Norwegian title in 42 years and it is understood he has jumped ahead of former West Brom coach Steve Clarke as the man the Parkhead board want to replace Neil Lennon.

While reports in Norway claim Deila has already been offered the post, his club chairman Tom Saxegaard refused to confirm whether Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell had made an official approach. But a source said: "Deila is one of the candidates the club is looking at. "He is a young, highly sought-after and highly-thought of coach and has done well to win cup and league titles in his six years in charge at Stromsgodset.

"The club have already signed one of his former players, Stefan Johansen, and the board think he could fit the bill for the club going forward."

But Stromsgodset chief Saxegaard wants Deila to remain as the club prepares for next season’s Champions League campaign. He said: “We are going to play in the Champions League and obviously we want to keep him. He’s our manager and is under contract with us for two-and-a-half- years. We really think he can get to the very top.”

The Scottish champions had been hoping to land a box-office name in a bid to boost season-ticket sales. But they have already seen moves for former players Henrik Larsson and Roy Keane falter.