Saturday 21 March 2015 21:33, UK
Celtic manager Ronny Deila says the international break has come at a good time for his side following a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.
First half goals from former United winger Gary Mackay-Steven, John Guidetti and Jason Denayer were enough to seal the win and stretch Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to five points after Aberdeen were held to a draw by Dundee earlier in the day.
Following four games against United in 14 days, in which Celtic won the League Cup final 2-0, progressed to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup with a 4-0 replay victory, and strengthened their position at the top of the table, Deila is happy some of his players will have time to rest ahead of the final push for a domestic treble.
"It was one of the games where you feel that you have total control from the start to the end," said the Norwegian.
"The first-half performance was good and we didn't push as hard as we could have in the second half.
"It has been a terrific week, good results and we are now in a very good situation going into the matches which come after the international break.
"Some players can get some rest, which is good, some have to go with the international team. But I think it is good for everybody to get some days away from each other and also get ready for a very exciting end to the season."
Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara, who had claimed Deila was feeling the pressure going into the match, watched on as his team wilted at Celtic Park.
The intense run of fixtures between the sides stared with a 1-1 draw at Tannadice in the Scottish Cup when United had two players dismissed, and Celtic had one man sent off.
United also had a player red-carded in the final at Hampden, while both teams finished the Scottish Cup replay with 10 men.
And McNamara believes the physical exertion caught up with his players, who offered little threat in the game at Celtic Park.
McNamara said: "We played with nine men in the first game against Celtic, 10 in the final last week and Wednesday night took its toll physically.
"But today was more of a mental thing, especially in the first half. I thought we lacked belief.
"I could see a few of us feeling sorry for ourselves. I thought we were quite soft a number of times in the first half, but the second was better."
