CHRIS SUTTON, who managed then-League Two side Lincoln City to 14 wins before leaving his post, has branded the current football from Celtic under Ronny Deila as “bang average dross”.
The former Hoops striker has also urged the Parkhead board to back their manager with quality signings during this transfer window.
Deila has already ruled out any marquee signings due to the vast cash gulf between players in the English top flight and the Premiership.
Everton’s ex-Celtic winger Aiden McGeady and Sunderland’s Scotland striker Steven Fletcher have been mentioned, but money is the obvious problem.
Sutton said: “I think you do need to push the boat out now and again.
“There comes a time when Celtic have to try and sign players who are better than what they’ve got.
“It’s interesting they haven’t signed anybody just yet. Ronny’s said a month or two ago that they need to sign experienced players, so maybe they’re going down that route.
“For me, and for a lot of supporters, we’re probably looking at the Champions League and that campaign and thinking the sensible thing to do would be to aim for a bit of continuity and for the team to finish this season strongly and go into Europe with their tails up.
“So, I think getting players in now, getting a stable team, is important and really kicking on. That’s because Europe hasn’t been particularly good while domestically, it’s not been fantastic.
“I think there’s an air among the supporters of being resigned at the minute to bang average dross at times. In the Partick Thistle game, they scrambled to a win.
“In fairness, the Stranraer match, they can’t do a lot more than what they did. They did a good job.
“But this time last season the team really kicked on. The supporters and all of us really want to see the team kick on again.
“I think that’s important for Ronny that he does that. And getting in personnel is important.”
The SPFL champions have targeted three or four new players, with Croatian Ivan Mocinic and defender Alexander Pantic among the named possibilities.
Sutton added: “If they were going to relieve Ronny of his duties, this was the time to do it.
“It would make more sense to get someone in now and let them get the feet under the table.
“If they are keeping him, then back him. You either have the faith or you don’t have the faith.
“I don’t think there can be a halfway house.”
