CELTIC manager Ronny Deila feels Stefan Johansen knows his career is best served by staying in Glasgow despite reports linking him with a move to Germany.
Reports in the midfielder’s native Norway claim several clubs in the Bundesliga and Barclays Premier League are interested in making a summer move for the player.
Deila, whose side host Kilmarnock tonight, coached Johansen at Stromsgodset and believes the 24-year-old would benefit from continuing to improve at Parkhead.
Johansen has struck 12 goals this season and become a key player for Deila. When quizzed about the reported interest, Deila said: “That’s new for me, but the Norwegian press is very good at talking up players so they can continue with that.
“Stefan has a big potential, and he knows what it’s all about now, it’s to perform all the time at Celtic. He has only been at Celtic for less than a year and a half. He was at Stromsgodset for three years before he moved on.
“One thing he does well is he’s starting to be a leader on the pitch. I think he can improve more here. He hasn’t been in the Champions League yet and he can play in more European cup games so Celtic is still the right place for him.
“He’s a player I want to build a future around – one of them – and that’s why I’m not so very interested in talking about a move to Germany or Italy or whatever.
“He has learned during his career, he has had periods that haven’t been so fun, and not everything is about moving on.
“When you enjoy a place and enjoy being there a lot of players have to think about why they are good there, why am I enjoying it, because that’s more important than fighting for the big money all the time and always moving on.
“When you sit on the bench or in the stands unhappy then money is nothing. I think Stefan understands that he is happy at Celtic.
"He really enjoys it and there’s a very good atmosphere in the dressing room. There’s a very good togetherness there and that’s what we want to build on.”
Deila is keen to maintain consistency in his squad for next season and is confident there will not be a major turnover of players in the summer given the financial importance of reaching the Champions League group stages.
But one player whose future is uncertain is on-loan Manchester City defender Jason Denayer, who could offer little insight into where he would be playing his football next season.
He said: “I don’t know, I need to see at the end of the season what happens.”
When quizzed further on his priorities should a first-team place with City prove elusive, the Belgium international said: “Of course, playing games and keep improving.
“I came to play games and this is what I do. I also came for trophies and I have won one already and hopefully two more."
Deila was more certain on what Denayer’s next move should be.
“He’s nearly 20. He should stay here and play for maybe one or two more years then take the next step,” the Norwegian said. “That’s what I would do, but then again not everyone listens to me.”
Celtic can open up an eight-point gap on second-placed Aberdeen when they host Killie and Deila has urged his players to enjoy the run-in as they continue to chase the treble.“We have worked so hard now for so many months to get to this position and we have to really enjoy it,” he said.
“It’s a big, big opportunity and we are going into some very important games. I have real confidence in my players. They are working in a good way, the atmosphere in the dressing room is very good and we are really looking forward to every game now.
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