RONNY DEILA today told Jason Denayer he should spend at least another half-season at Celtic Park rather than sitting on the bench at Manchester City.

The teenager has maintained he will return to the Premiership side this summer when his loan deal with the Hoops ends, but Deila has not given up hope of securing the player on another temporary deal.

"He is doing well and is 20 years old," he said. "He has had a good year here and I still think he should stay here for at least half a year. Hopefully we go through the Champions League qualification and he can be part of that.

"To take him away and have him sitting on the bench at Manchester City would not be good for his career. I talk with Jason a lot, but it's not just about us and him, it's about what City think also.

"He will go back there for pre-season, but we will see what is possible after that, if we can do something. If he does well down there and starts playing at City it will be tough to get him back. He will try and do that and you never know what could happen.

"But if you're in a good place and are developing all the time, then it's important to appreciate that and not go somewhere else and sit on the bench again. Money is not the important thing and Jason doesn't think like that. To develop, to play and get the experience is the most important thing for him."

Deila has also told Stefan Scepovic his time will come at Celtic - but has warned the striker he needs to up his game if he is to force his way into the team.

"The story with Stefan is that we have big competition up front," he said. "Leigh [Griffiths] has played well now and [John] Guidetti also has played some good games.

"Stefan has some things he needs to work on and he's doing that. He will get his chance again, then he has to be ready. I have to see in training and matches that he's making improvement. He needs to be better in different issues.

"Every player is frustrated when they do not play, but every player has been through hard times. It's how you deal with hard times that shows your character. Stefan is working hard and we will see more of him. He has improved, but he can improve more than he has done."

There have been reports linking Real Madrid teenager Martin Odegaard with a loan move to Southampton next season. Deila was credited by the player himself as being hugely influential in his development and it could be that if the 16-year-old is available on loan that Celtic make their interest known.

"I haven't heard his situation had changed, but if it's true he's going to be loaned out, then we will check and see what is possible," said the Celtic boss.

"It's more interesting to have players we own or have a buy-in option. They have to be very, very good like Jason Denayer, if we are to take them on loan without that buy-in agreement.

"I knew Jason would have an impact on the team and we needed a central defender, but we don't want many of those.

"We want to improve people and get the money out of it for ourselves, not improve the players of other teams and be left with nothing."