Former Celtic star Andy Walker has accused his old club of a "complete lack of understanding" after they jetted out to Dubai for a mid-season break.
The Premiership champions successfully lobbied to have their fixture with Hibs moved to allow them a mid-season training camp despite the lack of a winter break.
And despite losing 1-0 to Rangers to fall 19 points behind in the title race, and new coronavirus restrictions placed on Scotland, the trip went ahead.
That has proved controversial, with many Celtic fans questioning the move after a galling Old Firm defeat before First Minister Nicola Sturgeon admitted it "raises a question".
Former Hoops star Walker has added his voice to the furore, reflecting on a cancelled trip when he was a player at Parkhead in the late 80s.
The squad had planned a golf trip to Spain but after a 4-1 loss to Rangers the break was cancelled by manager Billy McNeill.
And Walker believes the failure to follow that example shows the Celtic board are out of touch.
He wrote in his Sky Sports column: "If only the Celtic of today had someone like Billy McNeill who could grasp the feelings of the supporters in an instant and understand what they are all going through in these extraordinary times. Sadly, there's no one.
"Those in the boardroom stand accused of a complete lack of understanding as to what it means to be a Celtic supporter and I doubt you could find one who spends any time with ordinary fans.
"The next time Celtic fans get a message from the privileged boardroom, it will no doubt be a call to dig deep into their pockets and renew their season tickets. No wonder some fans are in despair.
"I'm sure there's one or two of the current squad who feel extremely uncomfortable that while most of the general public are enduring enormous personal sacrifices, unable to see family or friends, they are lying by the side of the pool sipping beers or on the golf course.
"It's not a good look.
"Even if you put to one side the fact that Celtic blew their chances of getting back into the title race at Ibrox on Saturday, it seems as though everyone at the club is able to justify that during a global pandemic, it's a positive image for players, managers and a few hangers on to completely ignore what is happening at home.
"The problem with Celtic just now is that they come across as being totally inflexible. 'We've booked a trip and we don't care that things have changed. We know the whole of the UK is in a lockdown, but we can't do anything about it'.
"I'd argue that a bit of compassion and understanding wouldn't go amiss.
"As a captain and manager, Billy McNeill continually set a wonderful example and could easily grasp the mood of the Celtic support. No one at the club these days comes anywhere near his stature."
