Stephen McGowan has raised concerns over Celtic’s summer business and the uncertainty surrounding several key players, including captain Callum McGregor.
Celtic have added Camilo Duran to Martin O’Neill’s squad, but further movement is expected before the new season begins.
The Celtic captain has joined Unique Sports Group, the same agency that represents former Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers.
McGregor was also pictured alongside James Hussey, who works within the agency’s Middle East and North Africa operation, and Rodgers’ son Anton.
That has added to the discussion around a possible move to Saudi Arabia, where Rodgers is now in charge of Al-Qadsiah.
Speaking on Press Box hosted by Graham Spiers, McGowan said: “There’s a giant big question about the captain, Callum McGregor, as well, who has changed agents.
“He is now with an agency which employs Brendan Rodgers’ son, Anton. He was pictured online beside an agent who is based in Dubai and who appears to deal with the Middle East.
“So you can understand people speculating that there may be something afoot with regard to Saudi Arabia and Callum McGregor.”
There is no public evidence of a formal offer for McGregor, and sharing an agency with Rodgers does not mean a transfer is being arranged.
However, the possibility of Celtic losing important players has increased the pressure on the club to strengthen.
McGowan believes the size of the work facing Celtic is clear.
He added: “They could have some almighty gaps to fill there, and there seems to be a complete lack of urgency about almost everything they do.”
Celtic’s recruitment has been a major talking point throughout the summer, particularly with the league campaign and Champions League qualifiers approaching.
O’Neill has already said the club are trying to bring in more players, but supporters are still waiting for further deals to be completed.
McGowan also questioned how Celtic handled the appointment of O’Neill and the process of putting his staff in place.
“There was, I think it’s fair to call, a bit of dragging of heels about appointing Martin O’Neill,” he said.
“His backroom team dragged on a bit for a couple of weeks, and now you have the signing of players dragging on as well.”
He then widened his criticism to the way Celtic are run, arguing that the club need a clearer football structure.
“Nothing seems likely to change until something fundamental changes at Celtic,” McGowan said.
“Nothing is going to change until the ownership changes.
“At the moment it still feels as if all the really key, big decisions must be referred to and approved by the controlling shareholder, Dermot Desmond.”
McGowan also called for Celtic to introduce a more modern setup behind the scenes.
He said: “Surely what they want is a modern football club — a football club with a director of football, a sporting director, someone entrusted with the autonomy to shape the club.”
Celtic still have time to make further additions, but the pressure will continue to grow while major questions remain over both recruitment and the future of senior players.
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you have a low opion of Martin O’Neil do you think he is going to ruin his reputation by not speaking up things are moving we are in the spl and tell me which player in spl that will improve Celtic we have the players for our league its the champions league we need to buy not to win but not to be embarrassed desmond has proved to O’Neil he will buy players if available and I believe in O’Neil and his backroom coaches they are all top people with pride and most of all Celtic people spl is a hard sell so that’s why we need champions league for top players I know other clubs in spl are getting new players in but Celtic are the only club thats spent money the others are out of contract the scottish media