Celtic midfielder Kris Commons refutes Ronny Deila "scared" claims

Kris Commons has refuted manager Ronny Deila's claim that Celtic looked "scared" during their Champions League playoff defeat to Malmo.

A 2-0 defeat in Sweden on Tuesday night saw the Hoops lose the tie 4-3 on aggregate.

Deila described his players as looking "frightened and scared" after the match, but Commons believes that he and his teammates were unlucky not to progress.

"I wouldn't say it was fear," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "I don't think we played with fear. They came into the game knowing that they needed a goal, whereas we were trying to do just enough to keep a clean sheet.

"I think it's a stressful night because you know what's waiting for you if you get through, but coming here with a one-goal lead put a big importance on the first goal. It wasn't to be. They took their chances and certainly put us under pressure."

Celtic resume the defence of their Scottish Premiership title on Saturday when they host St Johnstone.