RONNY DEILA is a man of composure, calm and control.

It is rare that you see the Celtic manager arrive at a post-match press conference spitting feathers, stuck for words or unable to offer an explanation as to why something has not quite gone to plan.

Even when angered, the Norwegian is generally cooler than a Polar Bear’s cold bits when articulating what he’s feeling.

Take Friday night, for example. He had just witnessed his team surrender a 1-0 lead and potentially a firm grip on this season’s Ladbrokes Premiership title race. Seemingly cruising at New Douglas Park thanks to a Leigh Griffiths penalty, Celtic then proceeded to shoot themselves in the foot spectacularly.

Not only did Dedryck Boyata get himself needlessly sent off – a decision by referee Craig Thomson that Deila agreed with afterwards – but Griffiths would miss from the spot in the second half, while Gary Mackay-Steven also fluffed his lines when through on Hamilton goalkeeper Michael McGovern. This all before Accies teenager Eamonn Brophy came off the bench to steal a point and hand Aberdeen a title lifeline.

Despite all of this, the Parkhead manager was still able to remain pragmatic when assessing his team’s performance.

“I’m disappointed of course, I think we should have won the game,” said Deila.

“We had our chances but didn’t take them. Then we make a silly a red card and that’s something we have to learn from.

“Dedryck had the feeling that he got the ball but we have to see the pictures one more time, but I have seen it and it’s an okay decision.”

There could be several reasons for the Celtic manager’s calmness under pressure, and in some quarters, scrutiny.

One could cast a glance to the team that is running them the closest this campaign: Aberdeen.

As a result of Celtic’s stumble on Friday night, the Dons had the opportunity to close the gap on the league leaders to just four points if that could squeeze their way by a St Johnstone team that has only won one game in their last 11 games across all competitions.

No bother, surely? Well, no, as it happens.

With great predictability Derek McInnes’ men could not show their mettle and take advantage of yet another Celtic slip to reel in the Parkhead club.

It is far from the first time this has happened this campaign. When Celtic drew 2-2 with Hearts on December 27 Aberdeen recorded the same scoreline against Inverness. When the Hoops were to a 1-1 stalemate at Rugby park back on November 21, the Dons could only muster a 1-1 draw at Hamilton the following day.

Even back in September when Hearts shared the spoils with Deila’s team Aberdeen went and lost in Inverness.

It is with this backdrop that it seemed inevitable that the Pittodrie club would slip up.

“I’m disappointed that we dropped two points,” said Deila. “I’m disappointed that we went to ten men because we were controlling the game quite well in that position at 1-0 up.

“And then in the second half we produced good chances and should have scored two and killed the game but we couldn’t do it and in the end the opponents got a chance or two and they had a good finish on the set play.

“Of course I am very disappointed that we lost two points.”

Perhaps it is this that only helps to heighten frustration that Celtic are not able to pull away from an Aberdeen unable to convert the opportunities that come their way.

Regardless of the Dons’ weaknesses, this season is regarded by many as being even closer than the one experienced last season before Celtic eventually pulled away into the distance.

However, that isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, one year ago tomorrow Celtic beat Aberdeen 4-0 at Parkhead in a result that would have seen the north east club go level on points with their hosts if they had managed to swing a victory.

Deila is, however, of the mind that this is the closest run thing he has experienced since he arrived in Scotland, although the Norwegian is no stranger to tight run ins.

When he won the Tippeligaen in his homeland with Stromsgodset, it was done by the narrowest of margins as his team came out top of the pile just a single point in front of second-placed Rosenborg.

“Of course [it is closer],” said Deila. “If they [Aberdeen] keep up and keep winning it is a tough, tough league. They have very good so far.

“I don’t hope it will be like the title was in Norway! That was a very tight race.

“We just need to concentrate on ourselves, do everything we can to win and get three points.”

The other reason for Deila’s confidence in his team’s ability to retain the Premiership title may also be discovered when you look at the players at his disposal.

While Aberdeen were without Johnny Hayes and Adam Rooney on Saturday – with the latter out for up to six weeks – Celtic still exerted enough control over Hamilton with three changes to their side to suggest those on the periphery can make a key contribution.

The pick of them was Scott Allan who was handed only his second start since joining from Hibs at the start of the season, and Deila confessed he could feature on Wednesday when Celtic aim to get back to winning ways against Dundee.

“I think they all put in a good performance,” said the Celtic manager of Logan Bailly, Kris Commons and Allan.

“Scott was more and more in the game and he gets more opportunities. Logan couldn’t do anything for the goal so he will take good away from it.

“That’s what we want [to put things right against Dundee].

“We will see if we will make changes. We will have a look at the opponent, see who is available and see what is the best team and we will pick that.”