Ange Postecoglou delivered a message to the decision makers at Celtic after Celtic made it to the quarter finals of the League Cup.

Celtic won 3-2 in the end and despite the close scoreline, the game was very one sided with the bhoys never looking like losing.

The one major issue with the performance was the lapses in defence and allowing Hearts to get their goals. Celtic ran roughshod over the visitors – especially in the first half but in the second we tapered off and became disjointed at times.

A combination of not taking our chances and Craig Gordon making some decent saves meant we won by just the one goal.

It’s clear to the support and to the Celtic manager that this team needs defensive reinforcements.

The Hoops gaffer was forthright in the club needing to go above and beyond in the next two weeks to give him and his players what they need to forge the path ahead.

Speaking to the DailyRecord: “I keep saying it, we need more players to support the ones we have. It was great getting James some game time.

“Some of them are putting in enormous shifts with some playing 90 minutes and others 70 minutes.

“The mistakes don’t have to happen, but, unfortunately, that’s the position we’re in at the moment.

“Hopefully, getting a few more players in will allow us to maintain the standard for 90 minutes.”

Celtic take on Alkmaar in the Europa League on Wednesday evening. Callum McGregor and co will face a much sterner test than they did against Hearts. Defending more resolutely has to be the goal