Chris Sutton has questioned Celtic’s lack of clarity as uncertainty continues around Martin O’Neill’s backroom staff and the club’s summer plans.
There has also been speculation around potential changes to the staff, while supporters are waiting to see how Celtic move in the transfer market ahead of another crucial Champions League qualifying campaign.
Speaking on The Warm-Up with Kris Boyd, Sutton said Celtic supporters are still waiting for a clear message from the club.
He said: “When? Where is the communication?
“I know Brian Wilson came out and has spoken, but I think Celtic have a fan base who feel they’ve been taken for granted and still are.
“I just, for the life of me, don’t understand the lack of clarity and communication and the plan.
“Tell everybody what the plan is.”
That frustration will resonate with many Celtic fans.
The club have already confirmed O’Neill, but the wider picture still feels unfinished. Supporters want to know who will be alongside him, what the plan is for the squad, and how quickly Celtic intend to act before the serious football begins again.
Boyd also made it clear that the backroom staff issue should be one Celtic can sort quickly.
He said: “These are things that Celtic can control. Just get it done. There’s no point in messing around. Just get it done.
“Allow the guys to get their head fully focused on returning to pre-season and focus on the job of helping Martin O’Neill next season, because he’s going to need it.”
That line about O’Neill needing support is important.
At this stage of his career, O’Neill will need trusted voices around him every day at Lennoxtown. He brings authority, presence and experience, but the modern game demands a strong coaching team to handle the detail, energy and day-to-day work on the training ground.
Boyd believes that trust should be central to Celtic’s thinking.
He added: “Because of what happened last year, you would think that would be one of the first things Martin stipulated when he was getting these contracts signed.
“These guys have got to be with me. You look at what they delivered last season, they helped me so much and I need them there.
“I think the key word in the whole thing is that he trusts them. Trust.
“So I think it needs to get done as soon as.”
The concern does not stop with the coaching staff.
Sutton also questioned whether the current Celtic squad is ready for the Champions League qualifiers if serious work is not done in the market.
He said: “Everybody’s happy that Martin has signed again, but I think Martin would know himself, is this Celtic squad in its current guise, and you look back at last season, is this Celtic squad, this Celtic team, good enough to go through a Champions League qualifier?
“That will be the test.
“At this moment in time, there’s a huge question mark over whether they’re capable of doing it or not.
“If they don’t, we know the misery and the negativity which that will bring if it doesn’t happen.”
That is the fear supporters know all too well.
Last season’s Champions League qualifying failure cast a shadow over the campaign and contributed to the negativity that followed. Celtic cannot afford another slow or uncertain summer if they want to give O’Neill the best possible chance of getting through this time.
Boyd also pointed to the scale of work required in the squad.
He said: “There is an overhaul at Celtic needed.
“They’ve got their manager in, but they’re going to have to go and back him now.
“First of all, get the staff. Get them tied down and then start getting players in.”
That is the challenge now.
O’Neill is in place, but that cannot be the end of the work. Celtic still need clarity on the staff, clarity on the squad and clarity on the plan.
The World Cup may be taking plenty of attention elsewhere, but pre-season will come around quickly.
For supporters, Sutton’s message is likely to feel familiar.
They are not just asking for big statements. They are asking for direction.
And right now, Sutton and Boyd both believe Celtic have issues they can and should be dealing with before frustration builds again.
Amazing that we still have a few happy clappers
Again the board have taken our money and given us nothing. The board are playing a risky game here, the fans need to know what is going on and the board as usual say nothing. If things don’t change quickly I can see a lot of unrest with the fans and major issues ahead.