Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony has offered his take on the current unrest at Celtic, urging supporters not to panic after the club’s goalless draw with Kairat Almaty

The result has sparked major backlash from the stands, with fans voicing their anger at the board over a perceived lack of ambition in the transfer market.

With tension growing around the club’s Champions League push, MacAnthony believes some perspective is needed. While frustration is understandable, he suggested that not everything is as simple as it seems when it comes to bringing players in.

Celtic have faced criticism for not strengthening the squad ahead of the European tie, but MacAnthony pointed to the possibility that players are turning down offers, and that qualifying for the league phase could be the key to unlocking bigger moves.

MacAnthony encouraged fans to stay calm, backing Celtic to win the return leg and predicting that signings and success will follow if the job is done in Kazakhstan.

He said: (Sky Sports), “The other way to look at it is you got players turning you down, and it doesn’t matter what you’re trying to do or offer them, maybe they don’t want to go and until you’re in that main group stage of the Champions League, maybe then you’ll see.

“And that’s where the manager has to go and win, and the board have to come out and say to him, ‘Look, you win it, we’re going to get those three players, because then we’ve got proper Champions League football to offer’.

“So I think people are getting ahead of themselves, a bit too excited. I think it’ll settle down. They’ll win the return leg. You’ll make some signings, and you’ll win a lot of trophies this year.”

MacAnthony’s comments offer a different perspective from outside the club, suggesting the hold-up in recruitment may not be entirely down to the board’s unwillingness to spend. Instead, he points to the club’s current position in Europe as a barrier to landing top targets.

The idea that Champions League qualification could open the door to more signings is one that will ring true with many supporters, though it doesn’t take the sting out of going into such a key tie undercooked.

His prediction that Celtic will win the second leg and go on to have a successful season will be welcomed by some, but it’s cold comfort to others still frustrated by what feels like a lack of urgency.

Ultimately, Celtic’s best response lies on the pitch. If Rodgers’ side can finish the job in Almaty, those boardroom questions will remain, but the tone around the club could shift quickly, especially if the promised reinforcements finally arrive.