Kasper Schmeichel has come to the defence of Celtic’s hierarchy, insisting the club’s recent success shows they know what they’re doing, even as frustration among supporters reaches boiling point.

The Danish goalkeeper, preparing to face Livingston at Celtic Park this afternoon, addressed growing discontent in the stands after a summer window that has so far failed to meet expectations. Chants of “sack the board” rang out midweek during the goalless draw with Kairat Almaty, as fans demanded more urgency and ambition from those running the club, with Lawwell and Nicholson also named in separate chants.

But Schmeichel has urged calm, pointing to the sustained domestic dominance as proof that the club’s decision-makers are capable.

“The club has been so successful for so many years,” he said to Record Sport. “We’re not dealing with people who don’t know what they’re doing. I completely understand fans’ frustration. I’m a football fan myself and I want success and I want all these things instantly.

“But football is complicated and it’s not just about going and ringing a player’s agent and saying we want him and then it’s done. It’s a complicated process and sometimes it takes time. I’m more than confident with the people who are in charge of that and know what they’re doing.

“I think you’ve just got to look at the club’s track record. There’s a reason we’ve been champions four times now in a row and I don’t know how many times over the last 15 years. It’s because the club does know what they’re doing.”

With the window entering its final week or so and Celtic needing a result in Kazakhstan next week to secure a Champions League spot, time is running out for the board to prove Schmeichel right and convince supporters that their ambitions are being matched at the top.

Links have started to re-emerge over the past few days, and Celtic are looking at making some moves, but it’s come too late for some fans.

Cetic have a delegation over in Belgium to persuade Michel Ange-Balikwisha to join the Hoops.