Chris Sutton says the Celtic board have a messy situation to deal with over the next few weeks.
It comes after Brendan Rodgers' recent comments regarding transfers and his future.
The Parkhead boss admitted that if Celtic just want to maintain and not strive to improve, he isn't the right manager for them.
"There’s no need to try to work out any hidden messages any more," said Sutton of Rodgers' comments [RecordSport].
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"This was a clear warning – back me properly or I’m off at the end of the season.
"You can’t blame him. He’s the one who will carry the can if things go wrong in Europe or at home.
"And while the contract situation is the elephant in the room, it could be clearer in the next few weeks.
"If Rodgers doesn’t get the backing he wants and needs, it will look like the club is treading water rather than matching his ambition.
"He’s cranking up the pressure on the board, and it’s now over to them to deliver. It’s all a bit unnecessarily messy, really."
Celtic kick off their Scottish Premiership campaign with a home game against St Mirren on Sunday.
They then travel to face Aberdeen at Pittodrie a week later as the new season gets underway.
