Wednesday 18 February 2015 15:55, UK
Ronny Deila admits attack might be the best form of defence when Inter Milan visit Celtic Park in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday night.
Deila watched his team claim an eighth straight victory, a tense 2-1 success at St Johnstone, on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to six points ahead of Aberdeen's visit to Hamilton on Sunday.
Leigh Griffiths and Stefan Johansen were on target in either half for the league leaders but a ninth successive clean sheet was ended when Michael O'Halloran slotted 18 minutes from time to set up a nerve-jangling finish.
The Norwegian said: "We always attack, so nothing is changing. Why should we do that?
"We are at home. We are attacking but we haven't conceded a goal (until today) so I think that is a very good way to protect yourself.
"We will be ourselves but we will know their weaknesses and strengths."
We will be ourselves but we will know their weaknesses and strengths.
Deila was unconcerned by losing a goal after eight shut-outs and the former Stromsgodset boss added: "It doesn't mean anything to me.
"I am counting points and that is the most important thing. We are defending well and they didn't have many chances today. Otherwise, I think we had control of the game.
"In the end there was pressure on us, especially from set-pieces which were good and Gordon made very good saves.
"We played well for 60 minutes, were intense in our pressure, aggressive and created chances.
"We are much more direct now and we take more of the (chances) than we did before but we lost the ball too much as well, so we have to work on that."
St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright rued the loss of the early goal and praised Gordon for his late double save.
The Northern Irishman, who revealed midfielder Murray Davidson had been taken off in the 15th minute with a calf injury which will be assessed on Monday, said: "I thought it was quicker than the goal they scored against Partick.
"We had emphasised the point that we had to start well against them.
"I think it is a quality pass and good movement. I haven't watched it back but I think we could have done better.
"We weathered a storm, Alan Mannus made some good saves and we got back in the game.
"We were much better in the second half and we could have easily got a draw at the end but for two tremendous saves from Craig Gordon."
