Chris Sutton has warned Odsonne Edouard and Kris Ajer that they are destroying their transfer prospects.
Those two, both in their early twenties were key players earlier this year as Celtic powered clear to win the SPFL title having clinched the Betfred Cup and beaten Lazio home and away in the Europa League.
Had the season been completed in normal circumstances Ajer and Edouard could well have been sold for £20m or more but a month away from the January Transfer Window it is difficult to see offers of that magnitude coming in.
It is difficult to make a case for anyone at Celtic this season with Sutton shocked at just how much things have gone downhill.
A run of two wins in 10 matches has turned attention on Neil Lennon’s ability to manage with the perfect storm being the collapse in form and transfer value of the squad.
Selling players for top dollar has kept Celtic viable over recent seasons but watching the side this season Sutton told the Daily Record that two current players could be in for a shock.
Edouard has a huge problem as he is so talented. He has built a reputation over the past couple of seasons where all Europe’s big clubs would have been looking at him and watching him really closely. The way he is playing at this moment in time, he’s doing himself a great deal of harm.
Now everybody goes through peaks and troughs and I understand that. But this is pretty alarming. We are seeing glimpses, but he’s not doing enough. I don’t know if he wants a move away or not, but he’s playing as if he doesn’t want to be there. Although you could level that at others
If he wants to get his big move, he needs to start performing in a Celtic jersey. If he wants to get his career back on track, he needs to start livening up. If you watched Edouard the last couple of seasons, there are so many boxes you’d tick but there is a situation now where people are maybe now going to look at him and question his attitude.
It’s unfair just to single Edouard out. Is it happening with Ajer? Linked with AC Milan with a £30 million fee? They wouldn’t be in double figures with performances this season. Edouard was linked with a lot of top clubs in England. Who would take him on form this season?
Ajer has always had work to do. He’s a talented player, but he’s not a top European defender at this time. At this moment in time, he’s not a top defender in Scotland. If you want your move away, the best way is performing on the pitch. Showing the right intensity and attitude week in and out. Do I feel that’s happening? No.
In the history of football, there’s always players who don’t want to play for clubs, but they still give it their all while they are. The smart play is you are Edouard or a Kristoffer Ajer is play so well. Nine out of 10 every week. Be outstanding and big clubs will come in.
Look at Kieran Tierney? I never saw him down tools. We all understand the big players at Celtic do move on, but at this moment in time, you can’t tell me if you are a big European club and you are looking at Edouard or Ajer you’d splash the cash on them but, like I say, they are two of many in the team. The whole team has issues.
Sutton is likely to be part of BT Sport’s coverage of Thursday’s match away to AC Milan.