Celtic were beaten comprehensively by a better side on Thursday night.

The bhoys are in a ridiculous position now, trying to get to January hoping reinforcements will arrive to help their stuttering form.

However, many fans were blown away by the talent and level of fitness of Red Bull Salzburg team who steamrolled Celtic in the second half.

Many moaning that Salzburg are backed by the big money of Red Bull and that’s why they are streets ahead does not wash as soon as you look into what they are actually paying for players.

Here are their top record transfer fees paid out for players since 09/10. They are not paying out absorbent amounts for players but at the same time prioritising youth stars.

The Austrian club’s wage bill is rumoured to be less than Celtic’s although we cannot confirm this.

Coupled together with a scouting system that seems to be able to identify talent and they’re flying because of it.

Salzburg’s record transfer fees. Talk of “Red Bull money” is a red herring. We should absolutely be competing with them. pic.twitter.com/xnJJ7SXrHg

— Stevie Jackson (@bobby__peru) October 4, 2018

We wrote yesterday before the game that it would be an uphill struggle for Celtic against the Austrian champions and it turned out to be the case.

While we accepted that reality, it’s crazy to think, with the right backing and the right scouting – Celtic could have a team as inspiring.

It all comes down to scouting and subsequent backing from the board. Two massive failures at Celtic not only this summer but historically.

Salzburg got to the Europa League semi-final last year and they have built on their team an the board have backed them in the hope of going further.

Celtic have historically done well, punched above their weight and just as you think something special is about to appear, it’s gone. Why? Because we have a complacent board who are always reactionary rather than pro-active.

The Bhoys have had an invincible season, won a double treble and in the summer we got shafted. There was no pro-active building, a contentment at winning all the trophies in Scotland and thinking the side who had landed the accolades could keep on going without major investment.

The scouting does have to be right though and that is down to Brendan Rodgers. Why? Because he brought his man Lee Congerton in. What Lee does is a reflection of Rodgers and in this case, Rodgers is not pro-active in finding out why the scouting is failing.

January is a big month for Celtic, make no doubt about it. Investment has to be made in order to kick on.

There’s no reason why Celtic can’t have a team to beat Salzburg or at least give them a game.