Friday 19 September 2014 10:31, UK
Ronny Deila praised goalkeeper Craig Gordon after a dominant display in Celtic's 2-2 draw with Salzburg in their opening Europa League Group D clash.
The 31-year-old former Hearts and Sunderland stopper joined the Hoops on a free transfer in the summer after two years out of the game with injury and he has turned in some key performances for his side.
Mubarak Wakaso gave the away side the lead 14 minutes into his debut but Brazilian striker Alan levelled 10 minutes from the break.
Celtic skipper Scott Brown gave his side the lead again with a deflected effort only for Salzburg to draw level again through Jonatan Soriano's 25-yard free-kick.
But Deila was keen to highlight the performance of Gordon, who made a number of crucial saves to help secure a point for his side.
"He has been good all season but he is progressing all the time and getting better and better,” said Deila.
"He is a top professional, fantastic man and I am so glad to have him in the group.
"I had only seen him on television, playing for Sunderland. I didn't know him but Stevie Woods (goalkeeping coach) said he was ready and he is fit now and he will come to the level he was at. They have done well to get back again.
"Fraser (Forster) was fantastic but now we have a good goalkeeper. He is very good professional, very calm and so far he has been fantastic."
As for the game as a whole, the Norwegian admitted he was happy to take a draw away to the group’s top-seeded team.
"It was a good result, they are a good team and were difficult to play against, they played with high intensity and have very fit and quick players,” added Deila.
"I think we played much better as a team today. But it was important to get the point. Before the game we spoke about getting something from it.
"We are lasting the distance better, over 90 minutes. We need to be quicker with passing but with the team spirit we have we will get points and I am satisfied with that.
"But I think they deserved to get the goal in the end, they had some chances and we had a fantastic goalkeeper. Yes, we were 2-1 up but their free-kick was fantastic.
"I am pleased with the point and happy with the performance. We are progressing but there is a lot of work to be ever better."
