It’s no secret that the Celtic board’s popularity is at an all-time low.
A summer transfer window in which Brendan Rodgers wasn’t adequately backed catalysed an almighty backlash from the Hoops support.
A reluctance to spend and consistently poor communication left fans with no choice but to take direct action at several Celtic matches over recent weeks.
What communication there has been from the Hoops board has been poorly received, particularly an ill-timed Celtic statement which seemed to deflect the blame.
And for one Hoops hero, there is no getting away from the blame for those upstairs at Celtic Park.
Joe Hart’s clear message to the Celtic board
The Hoops were reluctant to meet the asking prices of several key targets, leaving Rodgers with an under-equipped squad for the Champions League play-off against Kairat Almaty.
Whilst the Celtic boss must accept his part of the responsibility, this is a movie that fans have seen before – and Joe Hart can completely understand their perspective.
WATCH: Celtic 0-2 Braga reaction…
Speaking on TNT Sports’ broadcast of the Hoops’ defeat to Braga, Hart sent a brilliant message which made it clear that the Hoops board have made a mistake.
He said: “They’ve got their way of doing things and they’ve stood by it, but I think they’re going to have to hold their hands up about this summer.
“They could’ve acted quicker, there’s simple things that could’ve been been done – but of course they’re going to stand by it and say that they’re not going to be investing £40-£50 million on players and paying them X a week. But that’s not what this club is asking.
“I feel like they’ve just held off a little bit too long, gambled with their Champions League status a little bit too, and it look – it was a mistake.
“If they own that, give their reasons behind it and say ‘we’ve got this wrong, this was our thinking’… you’ve just got to understand each other. People make mistakes. No getting away from it. No one’s perfect.
“You’ve got to work together. Celtic are at their best when the fans are united, the fans are happy and the board are moving in the same direction.”
What does Celtic’s Braga defeat say about summer transfer business?
Rodgers has been clear that the squad is still learning their new connections, and that patience will be required for the team to hit full form.
But it’s impossible to not feel that this could’ve been avoided. Kelechi Iheanacho was so far down the Hoops’ transfer wish-list that he was brought in after the closure of the transfer window.
Sebastian Tounekti has made an impressive start to his Celtic career, but fellow winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha has endured a tough bedding-in period.
If the club could’ve been more proactive in the transfer market, things could have been very different – including the European competition that the Hoops are playing in.
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