FORMER Celtic manager Ronny Deila says that he will be watching with great interest next season as his former employers aim for a record-breaking tenth consecutive league title - and said he has pleased to have played his part in the Parkhead club's recent success.

Neil Lennon's side were crowned as champions on Monday after the Premiership season was brought to a premature end, securing a record-equalling nine-in-a-row.

The next campaign brings with it the opportunity to seal a historic tenth triumph - something that Deila says he understood the importance of as soon as he landed the Celtic job in 2014.

“It’s fantastic,” Deila said of his old club's latest title success when speaking to the Celtic website. “I’m very proud to have been Celtic manager and also proud to be part of what the club has achieved for nine years. It’s a big achievement and I just enjoy watching and seeing the success now. Hopefully, it’ll be one more next year so that we can create a new record.

 “At Celtic, you understand it very quickly, that 10-in-a-row was very important. The fans sang about it all the time, and you just felt that it was something very important. Now, it’s nine and it’s going to be very exciting next season.

“For me, it was a special time. It’s one thing what you achieve and what you do on the pitch, but it’s also what kind of values you have and what you give to the people around you. And I think that was an important thing for me – I wanted to be myself and give something to the fans and to the people working at the club. And I think that’s something people appreciate.

“Of course, it’s nice for me to play a part in that history. But the job the players have done, and so many people in the club who’ve been there for many years, is much more important than me.

“And I think the positive thing is, you don’t feel that it’s going to end. You feel that the club is still hungry and wants to achieve more. So far, they’ve done it, and that’s great, and I know the motivation going into next season is going to be unbelievable because of what they can win.

“I’m just so happy for all the Celtic fans and the club because they’ve done nine now.”