Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Celtic boss Ronny Deila could manage in the Premier League one day. The former Manchester United striker returned for a second spell as Molde boss yesterday, just over 24 hours before facing the Hoops in their Europa League clash in Norway.

Solskjaer, who was in charge of the Tippeligaen outfit for three years before joining Cardiff in 2014, came up against Deila when he was boss of Stromsgodset and his respect has grown for his fellow Norwegian.

The 42-year-old claims the “natural step” for Deila after coping with the demands of life at the Parkhead club would be a move to the top flight in England.

“When you go to Celtic with all the demands and expectations, if you withstand that pressure, I think that gives him a great chance of maybe going to the Premier League one day,” Solskjaer said. “Because that is maybe the natural step after being at such a big club.

“So he can go far because he is an innovative coach, he is enthusiastic and I have got a lot of time for him. I think he has done great at Celtic. We have seen a Ronny Deila team playing football.

Solskjaer insists he will take a back seat for the Celtic game and allow Erling Moe, in caretaker charge since the sacking of Tor Ole Skullerud in August, to try to implement the plan he has been formulating in training this week.

“Maybe people will think Molde is an easy target for Celtic, but at home we are capable of giving them a good game. ”

After a win in Fenerbahce in their Group A opener and a draw at home to Ajax, Molde sit top of the section with four points – two ahead of Celtic.