Former Celtic player turned critical pundit Charlie Nicholas has been having his say on the state of play at Celtic and while we usually challenge the pundit’s assertions – it’s very difficult to do so in this case.
Charlie points out Celtic will struggle to mount a title challenge currently with what they have. Even if we bring in more players over the coming weeks – it’s going to take a bit of time for them to bed in and gel together.
With that in mind, Nicholas doesn’t foresee Celtic being anywhere near good enough to compete until later this year at a minimum.
He believes the Glasgow Derby at the end of August could give the Hoops a harsh reality of where they’re at.
There’s plenty of games before that though!
Celtic need to show they can start breaking down these stubborn sides who matched up against them last season and would either come away with a draw or a victory against Neil Lennon’s men.
Writing in his express column as cited by RecordSport, here’s Nicholas in full flow:
“The gap is so big that I don’t see how Celtic could close it to mount a genuine title challenge to Rangers this season
“Ange Postecoglou’s squad needs substantially strengthened and any players who do come in will need time to settle and adjust to the demands of the club.
“People will argue that Postecoglou is signing these guys and they will fit into the type of football he wants to play, but it can’t be assumed they will hit the ground running.
“It will probably be September or October before we see what type of Celtic side this is going to be. It is only once we have had a good look at his recruitment and his team’s style of play that we can judge the manager.
“If Celtic crash out of the Champions League to Midtjylland tomorrow night it won’t be Postecoglou’s fault.
“It is probably 60-40 in favour of their opponents going through. Midtjylland won in the Danish Superliga at the weekend and a couple of their new signings will be bedded in by now.
“Postecoglou, by contrast, watched his side get hammered 6-2 BYWEST Ham and has been left with no choice but to field kids and a suspect goalkeeper.
“I can’t see Celtic keeping a clean sheet in Denmark.
“I take no pleasure in saying this, but if Celtic manage to go through to the next qualifying round then it would just be papering over the cracks.
“At the moment Postecoglou has the fans on his side, but if the Hoops are still struggling a month or two into the Premiership season then it’s inevitable the blame will turn to him.
“The outcome of the Old Firm derby at Ibrox on August 29 could either determine the scale of the problem at Parkhead, or how much improvement Postecoglou has been able to make.”
