Chris Sutton fears Ange Postecoglou needs a "miracle" to lead Celtic to the Champions League group stage.
It's just 32 days until the new manager takes charge of his first competitive match against Midtjylland in the second qualifying round.
Postecoglou is yet to set foot inside Lennoxtown having been forced to complete a mandatory 10 days' quarantine after landing in Scotland.
If Celtic beat the Danes, they could face the likes of PSV Eindhoven or last season's Europa League foes Sparta Prague.
Club legend Sutton suspects it's a tall order.
He wrote in the Daily Record: "Ange Potecoglou reckons Celtic are as prepared as they can be at this stage considering some of the difficulties they face and that is a pretty positive slant to be putting on things right now.
"Whether it’s the reality or not is a different matter.
"Postecoglou is still not in the building at Lennoxtown but I am sure he is working feverishly from his hotel quarantine to get up to speed with where the club is right now.
"But it’s not the same until the boots are on the ground and the clock is ticking.
"It’s just 32 days until the Champions League qualifier against Midtjylland and there’s a mountain of issues needing addressed at Parkhead.
"The Danes are an extremely tough prospect for any new manager’s first game in charge, let alone one who is being forced to play catch up.
"You’ve got to think at this point of time it would take a miracle for Postecoglou to lead Celtic to the group stage.
"If they can scramble through this round they would hit the likes of PSV, Sparta Prague, Galatasaray and other ominous ties.
"They’ll be doing well to clear the first hurdle right now. Going in at the second round stage is actually a disadvantage for Celtic and their new manager this year.
"They have more time but usually the first round is a chance to feel your way in and find your feet.
"This time they are right in at the deep end."
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