FORMER Celtic striker Chris Sutton has issued a scathing critique of Celtic's approach, both on and off the pitch, following their recent 6-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Soccer Football - Champions League - Group E - Atletico Madrid v Celtic - Metropolitano, Madrid, Spain - November 7, 2023Celtic players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Juan Medina Sutton's analysis, published in his Daily Record column, paints a picture of a club that has failed to progress despite clear signals that reinforcements were needed.

He points out that Celtic began the year in a strong position domestically, with a significant lead in the SPFL and ultimately securing the title in May. However, the summer transfer activity, or the lack thereof, did not reflect a team building on its success or preparing adequately for the rigours of the Champions League.

The departure of key players coupled with injuries to important squad members like Reo Hatate and Liel Abada, left the team exposed and lacking depth.

The seven new signings brought in over the summer did not, in Sutton's view, elevate the quality of the squad.

Sutton criticises the club's recruitment strategy and its execution, particularly highlighting the late signing of Luis Palma and his rushed integration into the team for the crucial match in Rotterdam. This, according to Sutton, is indicative of a broader issue at Celtic where there is a lack of forward planning and effective decision-making from the boardroom down.

"Celtic knew the date of the first Champions League group matches in the second week of May when they won the title against Hearts at Tynecastle and guaranteed their place in them. That is four whole months. That Postecoglou team was building. They had their experiences of the first campaign and those that were staying could use them.

"Those who were leaving needed to be replaced properly and strengthening was also needed because, having finished the campaign with two points last term, it was clear that even the side who ended that term required more furnishing. Instead, Celtic went backwards.

"You can't legislate for injuries to the likes of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liel Abada, but even if those two had been available for Rotterdam, the squad on night one was still weaker than the one that finished last term's campaign against Real in the Bernabeu. I'm going to repeat myself in one sense. That was unforgivable.

"But I'm not going to keep repeating myself and neither should Celtic. This direction of travel has to stop. It has to be altered now. In fact, it should already be happening."

With the January transfer window approaching, Sutton urges that the club must act decisively to bring in quality reinforcements. He emphasises the need for a proactive approach to transfers, pointing to Postecoglou's tenure when signings were announced ahead of the window's opening. This wasn't just a one-off, it happened in both Januarys when the manager was at the club.

The absence of such rumours this year, he warns, could spell another frustrating period for Celtic supporters eager for signs of progress and a stronger showing in European competitions.

"Rodgers is a quality manager. He'll know what he needs and what he can expect to get on that recruitment front within the parameters of the club model.

"As a club, Celtic have to be on that right now. I know the market is changeable and targets can alter, but Rodgers will have a grasp of what he wants and they need to be brought in either in January and on the first of June next year.

"Celtic have to go into Champions League matches at full pelt. Not signing Luis Palma on the last days of a window and giving him about five training sessions before he's herded onto a plane for Rotterdam to be flung in to start a game on Matchday One.

"The team has had to go through their development stage in the most cut-throat environment of the game and that's not acceptable. Not when the whole club knew four months in advance that these games were coming."