GLASGOW: Celtic manager Ronny Deila heaped praise on new signings Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong after the pair netted on their debuts to fire the Scottish Premiership leaders to a 3-0 win at Partick Thistle.
The duo joined Celtic on transfer deadline day following a £2 million ($3 million, 2.6 million euros) move from Dundee United, but they have had to wait for their first run-out due to being ineligible for last week's Scottish Cup fixture against Dundee.
They made an instant impact against Partick with Mackay-Steven netting after just 38 seconds, while Armstrong followed his lead on the half-hour mark.
Stefan Johansen added a third in the second half as the reigning Scottish champions opened a three-point lead over second-placed Aberdeen with a game in hand over their title rivals.
Deila hailed the impact of new signings, saying: "It could not have been better. It was good to get an early goal and both of them scored.
"It was a good performance from them as well. They have things we don't have much of in the team and you can see that it will be more difficult to beat us when we have players like that on the pitch.
"It is much easier when you get off to a good start. We have seen in training what they are capable of doing and they showed it again today.
"They have a good understanding of the game and are quick. If you have a good understanding then you get good performances."
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