CELTIC legend Davie Hay believes the champions’ Big Two, Brendan Rodgers and Peter Lawwell, must present a united front at the Hoops.
There has been talk and speculation of friction between the manager and the chief executive and things have come to a head with the Champions League exit and Dedryck Boyata’s unhelpful situation.
Former team boss and player Hay said: “Some of the criticism that has been aimed at Celtic since their loss in Athens has been justified, and some has been over the top in my view.
“The result can’t be changed, and all you can do as a club is try to move forward and remedy the areas of weakness.
“That goes for the problems on the pitch and off of it, too, and there is little doubt in my mind that the friction behind the scenes at Celtic seeped its way onto the field on Tuesday night.
“There have been outbursts from the manager over the lack of support from the board in the transfer market.
“What I would say is the number one priority in terms of the well-being of Celtic is that the fall-out between the manager and Peter Lawwell is resolved quickly.
“There has to be a united front from Celtic now above all else.”
UNITED FRONT…Peter Lawwell and Brendan Rodgers are all smiles. Davie Hay wants the harmony to return.
Hay, now a club ambassador, added: “There is also the issue of the manager very publicly refuting Dedryck Boyata’s version of events over his apparent ‘injury’ and that has caused more division, which is the last thing that Celtic need right now.
“I was surprised that Boyata was given so much time off after the World Cup. Even from a practical point of view, Celtic could have been doing with him for the qualifiers, but the longer he was away then the more likely it was in my view that his head would get turned by the prospect of a move.
“Before anyone calls me a hypocrite for criticising Boyata, I should point out that I actually went on strike as a player back in the seventies for two weeks because I was being messed about with a contract.
“It was a point of principle and it was through frustration more than anything. It was a different era and I reflected on it as being a pointless exercise.
“I was back playing for the club soon enough. I don’t see any way back for Boyata, though.
“It will be very difficult for him and if he is to leave then I would get him out the door as soon as possible.”
