Chris Sutton has warned the Celtic hierarchy that the Champions League is on them- not Ange Postecoglou.
In less than three weeks Celtic host Midtjylland in a Second Round qualifier with the Danes qualifying last season through beating Slavia Prague and making a decent fist of it against Liverpool, Atalanta and Ajax.
Postecoglou has still to make his first signing with Scott Brown and Leigh Griffiths missing from last season’s squad.
Doubts remain over the futures of Kris Ajer, Odsonne Edouard, Olivier Ntcham and Ryan Christie with the new manager facing a multitude of issues before he puts out a side to face the Danes.
Looking at the situation Postecoglou has walked into, Sutton told the Daily Record:
If Celtic get beaten by Midtjylland, I wouldn’t blame the manager at all. I’d blame the club’s hierarchy for dawdling and being strung along, however you want to word it, by Eddie Howe.
He needs time to develop, nurture and implement his own plans. There’s a lot been said about how he’s managed in Australia and Japan and his supposed lack of credentials – this is a guy who’s managed in a World Cup. He’s managed his national team, he’s won titles. He needs to be given a bit more respect than that.
Celtic head to Wales next week for three pre-season matches with their Scotland contingent unlikely to feature in any of those matches.
Goalkeeper, full-backs and strikers are areas in obvious need of strengthening but Celtic fans are still waiting to see who will be Postecoglou’s first signing.