Ex Celtic star Charlie Nicholas believes the timing of Ronny Deila's announcement to depart the club could backfire on the Norwegian, as well as the Scottish club.

Soccer Saturday pundit Nicholas said the news that the Celtic manager is leaving at the end of the season could have an impact on the Hoops' final five games of the campaign, something Deila could have avoided by delaying his decision to announce he was leaving until after the last league match. He told Sky Sports:

"I think the timing is awful.I think to say it is more about the club than him, that will backfire on him today, I think it is about him because he is the one that has made the statement. This is like Manuel Pellegrini when he announced he was leaving. I said at the time there's a certain aspect of what you keep in house. Celtic are going for the title and Ronny has suffered along with the board and the people who run the club who are not doing their job right at the minute."

Nicholas believes that the timing would not have pleased people inside the club and that if the Bhoys don't seal their fifth consecutive league title there will be utter chaos at the club:

"It is a club that has gone stale. For Ronny to announce this now, it will not please a lot of people, they expected it, but you keep it in house. You get the title wrapped up, then the business is done and you say well done, congratulations and good luck in the future. But if they were to slip up this weekend and Aberdeen catch them, it would be an absolute mess, complete mayhem. It will still be about Ronny Deila because he is the story today."

Celtic face Ross County in their next league match on Sunday.

They are currently eight points ahead of Aberdeen at the top of the Scottish Premiership table.

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