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Ronny Deila: 'John Guidetti could still stay at Celtic'

By Jonathan McIntosh, Reporter | 08 March 2015

Ronny Deila says that John Guidetti could still stay at Celtic, despite the Swede being quoted as saying that he wants to move to Feyenoord "as soon as possible".

Celtic manager Ronny Deila has said that John Guidetti was misunderstood when a Dutch newspaper quoted him as saying that he wants to return to Feyenoord "as soon as possible".

The Swede scored 20 goals in 23 matches during a loan spell at Feyenoord in the 2011-12 season.

His contract expires with parent club Manchester City at the end of the season and the Eredivisie club apparently want the Celtic loanee back.

"When I heard what he was meant to have said, I thought, 'that's not a good message to put out'," Deila told The Herald. "But I spoke to him and he was upset. He told me that's not what he said.

"The journalist from Holland called him and asked him about Feyenoord. John has a good relationship with the club and said that he'd like to go back there and play one day. He said 'you never know what will happen' but that was reported as John saying he wanted to go there at once.

"I spoke to John and he told me he is very happy to stay at Celtic. I still believe it is possible he will be here next season. He needs a home and that home should be Celtic."

Guidetti started the season in impressive form with nine goals in seven matches, but lost his place in the starting line up to Leigh Griffiths after going on a run of 10 games without a goal.