Chris Sutton insists Celtic need to start their rebuild now or they risk losing next season's title.
Rangers are on course to win the league crown this term, but are already planning ahead with the acquisitions of Scott Wright and Bournemouth pair Jack Simpson and Nnamdi Ofoborh.
The Hoops are set for a complete overhaul with Dominic McKay replacing Peter Lawwell as CEO and the expected departures of Neil Lennon and several first team players.
But pundit Sutton warned that they need to start preparing now instead of waiting until McKay walks through the Parkhead door on July 1 as they are falling behind their rivals.
He told the Daily Record: "Celtic have already lost this season’s title.
"It’s imperative that decisive moves are made now behind the scenes and proper plans are being put in place inside the club to ensure no ground is lost in next season’s race.
"Peter Lawwell is going, but he can’t just drift until leaving day.
"Successor Dominic McKay can’t just walk into the club in June and start with a blank sheet of paper.
"Groundwork needs laid now. Huge decisions made. Decisions which will impact that future.
"It’s vital no ground is being lost to Rangers on the park and that excitement is also generated for supporters off it because right now there is nothing much for the punters to cling to.
"The Ibrox team are planning ahead. Scott Wright and Jack Simpson in the door already. Nnamdi Ofoborh signed on a pre-contract. Three new faces in place for 2021/22.
"Celtic did one loan deal before the window closed. And it likely won’t even impact next season as Jonjoe Kenny appears to be wanted back at Everton.
"They are falling behind. More will follow Jeremie Frimpong and Olivier Ntcham out of the door.
"There needs to be a huge overhaul and work must surely have started in the background, even if it’s hard to fathom where any clarity can possibly be coming from in any planning with uncertainty everywhere."
