Celtic have announced that manager Ronny Deila will leave the club at the end of the season.

The 40-year-old, who took on the job in 2014, has confirmed today that he has chosen to vacate the position.

The Scottish giants are on course to claim their fifth consecutive Premiership title as they have an eight-point lead over Aberdeen, but Deila has not escaped criticism this season.

Celtic exited the Champions League at the playoff stage and failed to get through the group after dropping into the Europa League.

Pressure mounted on Deila at the weekend when his side were beaten on penalties by Old Firm rivals Rangers in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup.

Deila won the Scottish League Cup and Premiership title during his first season in charge of Celtic, but the Norwegian has now decided to call an end to his time at Parkhead.

A statement from Deila read: "It is vital that the club comes first and instead of me being the focus, hopefully now the team and the club can be the focus as we enter this final important period of the season. It was an absolute privilege to be named manager of Celtic, such a wonderful football club, and I have enjoyed my time here immensely. I will never forget the welcome I received almost two years ago at Celtic Park from so many fans. When I joined Celtic I knew I was coming to one of the world's great football clubs.

"There have been some great times and I am delighted that we have brought some trophies to the club. I was delighted in my first year to bring our fans a League and Cup double and enjoy some European nights at Celtic Park, and I am pleased this season to be well in contention to win another Premiership title.

"There have been some disappointments and times when we have not achieved what we had hoped for and I'm realistic and honest enough to admit that, but I know that the players, myself and my backroom team have always given everything we had to bring success to our supporters.

"I would like to thank everyone who has supported me so well at the club. The fans have been magnificent during the past two years. Our fans are the heartbeat of the club, they have always given myself and the team such amazing support and always created such a great atmosphere. We have always given our best for them and I will always be a Celtic supporter too.

"My total focus now is on retaining our Premiership title and making it five-in-a-row for our great club and proving that we are the best in the country. Myself and the players will be giving everything we can to achieve this and I know that starting on Sunday we must all unite and drive the club on and really go for what we all want as Celtic supporters - to be Scottish Champions once again."

Celtic will take on Ross County at home this Sunday.