Chris Sutton has upped the ante with his criticism of Celtic.
The former Hoops striker warned his old club as far back as June to make sure they secure the quality signings needed for the Champions League play-off round.
Two months later and Celtic are scrambling to sign two wingers and possibly another striker before the transfer window deadline on September 1.
The Bhoys face either Slovan Bratislava or Kairat Almaty on August 20 for the first leg, but Brendan Rodgers doesn’t know if he’ll new players in by then.
Rodgers refused to explain Celtic’s transfer delay, but believes the work will get done before the window shuts for good.
Sutton delivers huge warning to Celtic about Brendan Rodgers
But despite Rodgers’ optimism, Sutton has gone on the warpath. In his latest Daily Record column, he blasts Celtic for the “ridiculous” situation they find themselves in.
He also warned that the Celtic hierarchy can forget about Rodgers signing a new contract if they don’t deliver the goods before September 1.
A seething Sutton said: “Celtic have 24 days left in which to keep Brendan Rodgers for the long term. In actual fact, it might be even less than that. It may be under a week.
“Rodgers said last weekend he was fed up talking about transfers. Listening to the Celtic supporters I have come across in recent weeks, they are feeling just the same.
“I find the entire situation, at best, bizarre. At worst, it is just ridiculous at this stage of the window. Now, I’m going to caveat my next statements with two things.
“One: Rodgers has made it clear that no-one really and truly knows what he is thinking inside apart from himself.
“And two: Celtic still have time to make enough quality signings to satisfy the manager’s wishes before the deadline on September 1.
“But, as I look at this from the outside, I can only see one outcome if this transfer situation isn’t properly addressed quickly.
“If Celtic aren’t going to show the ambition to match the manager before this window closes, I’d say you needn’t bother talking about extending contracts because it’ll be done. All over. Terminado.
“All I can do is try and put myself into Rodgers’ shoes. If it was me, I know I’d be absolutely sickened at how this is all going.”
Rodgers defended Celtic board at press conference
The Celtic manager did not appear as frustrated as he did at his press conference last week before beating St Mirren on Flag Day.
In fact, Rodgers opted to praise the Celtic board and said there is evidence from years gone by that they get things done in the transfer window.
Rodgers said: “I think the board have shown over many years and numbers of years that the work will get done.
“And, obviously, as a group that runs the club and has run it so well for so many years, they’ll look to get what they will feel is the best value for the players.
“Of course, as coaches and managers and supporters, you want the best players. But ultimately, the club will be run in a way that makes sure that both the best players and the best value are there to be made. So, that sits above me. That’s something that clearly does.”
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