John Guidetti receives Ronny Deila penalty backing

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has backed John Guidetti after the striker controversially won a penalty during the team's win over Hearts in the Scottish Cup.

Guidetti looked to have been fouled by defender Brad McKay inside the box at Tynecastle Stadium on Sunday, but replays showed that there was no contact between the pair.

The loan signing from Manchester City then dusted himself off to score the resulting spot kick as Celtic earned a comfortable 4-0 victory in the fourth round of the competition.

Despite claims that the youngster dived, Deila believes that he did not set out to deceive the referee.

"Maybe it was not a penalty but it is a long way from there to diving," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "It looked like he slipped a bit so it is nothing. It is a decision the referee has made. Of course I understand the discussion but he didn't do anything wrong.

"We don't want cheats, that's an important thing, but I don't think he was wanting a penalty. Things happen in the game and over a long season it will even out, that's how it is going to be."

Celtic continue the defence of their Scottish Premiership title on Wednesday when they entertain Partick Thistle.