Former Celtic winger Kris Commons has slammed his old club for "scandalous mismanagement" as he warns the title race could be over by Halloween.
New manager Ange Postecoglou has had a difficult start to his Parkhead career, with his side held by Dundee United on Sunday to make it just three wins in seven.
The Australian arrived in the summer to oversee a rebuild of the squad following a long and ultimately failed pursuit of former Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe.
And at least one former Celtic star is placing the blame for the poor start squarely at those controlling things behind the scenes.
Commons wrote in his Daily Mail column: "It's a damning indictment of where the club is at just now and a by-product of the scandalous mismanagement and neglect behind the scenes in recent years.
"With the game locked away at 1-1 yesterday, Ange Postecoglou would obviously have wanted to make a change but he had a glaring lack of options on the bench.
"The only two subs he brought on Adam Montgomery and Ismaila Soro are both defensive-minded players and both were enforced by injuries to other players.
"I know there are a few injuries and absentees at the moment, but it shows how bad the recruitment has been in recent years that there can be a complete absence of any attacking players on the bench."
Celtic have had three defeats and a draw in their first seven games, and already lie six points behind Rangers in the title race.
And Commons has warned their quest to regain their Premiership crown could be over by November if things don't improve.
He continued: "The league table is already making for painful viewing for Celtic supporters. The team are languishing in sixth place, already six points behind leaders Rangers.
"Listen, Rangers haven't been particularly great either in recent weeks. But, crucially, they are still managing to grind out results more often than not.
"Celtic's fixture list over the next few weeks is a major concern. In the next month, they face tough away trips to Aberdeen, Motherwell and Hibs.
"Given that they haven't won away in the league since February, the likes of Pittodrie, Fir Park and Easter Road aren't venues you'd choose when you're looking for a nice confidence boost.
"Postecoglou's side are spilling points at an alarming rate. The way things are going, they could be out of the title race by Halloween at this rate."
