Charlie Nicholas can’t see Celtic mounting a title challenge this season and fears for their defence in Denmark.
And while the former Hoops striker insists Ange Postecoglou can’t be blamed for the current situation, he needs to start showing positive signs soon.
Just 24 hours before rivals Rangers were beating Real Madrid, Celtic were taken apart 6-2 at home by West Ham, highlighting just how different the big two’s Premiership preparations have been.
Postecoglou is not only having to work quickly to try and bring in new signings, but he’s also been tasked with getting Celtic through their Champions League qualifier with Denmark relying on kid centre backs and an out-of-form goalkeeper.
Regardless of who comes in, Nicholas is convinced the club have left it too late and will be chasing Rangers’ shadows once again.
Writing in the Express, he said: "The gap is so big that I don't see how Celtic could close it to mount a genuine title challenge to Rangers this season.
"Ange Postecoglou's squad needs substantially strengthened and any players who do come in will need time to settle and adjust to the demands of the club.
"People will argue that Postecoglou is signing these guys and they will fit into the type of football he wants to play, but it can't be assumed they will hit the ground running.
"It will probably be September or October before we see what type of Celtic side this is going to be. It is only once we have had a good look at his recruitment and his team's style of play that we can judge the manager.
"If Celtic crash out of the Champions League to Midtjylland tomorrow night it won't be Postecoglou's fault.
"It is probably 60-40 in favour of their opponents going through. Midtjylland won in the Danish Superliga at the weekend and a couple of their new signings will be bedded in by now.
"Postecoglou, by contrast, watched his side get hammered 6-2 by WEST Ham and has been left with no choice but to field kids and a suspect goalkeeper.
"I can't see Celtic keeping a clean sheet in Denmark.
"I take no pleasure in saying this, but if Celtic manage to go through to the next qualifying round then it would just be papering over the cracks.
"At the moment Postecoglou has the fans on his side, but if the Hoops are still struggling a month or two into the Premiership season then it's inevitable the blame will turn to him.
"The outcome of the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on August 29 could either determine the scale of the problem at Parkhead, or how much improvement Postecoglou has been able to make."
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