Celtic legend Scott Brown has issued his thoughts on the Hoops' transfer needs after their Champions League collapse to LASK.
The Bhoys gave away a four-goal lead and dropped out of the Champions League, and it has left many pointing to the areas Martin O'Neill's squad remains short.
It's clear Celtic need a couple of midfielders, left-back and a goalkeeper for starters, but for Brown, it's all about strengthening the quality of the bench after a few disastrous cameos in the LASK game.
Brown and McFadden on Celtic shortcomings
“They (Celtic) didn't work the goalie enough at all and they didn't have that sharp link-up play that they've probably had since the start of the season," Brown told the BBC's Scottish Football podcast.
“After, you give a goal away, which was nice and sloppy from Benjamin Nygren, but from there, the amount of chances that Celtic gave up from in possession - not making nice easy passes or the right decision, that's what's probably going to hurt Martin a little bit more. But look from where Celtic were since Martin came in to where they are now. they're in a miles better position, they're bringing players in that are actually in the starting XI, but it shows you on that bench they need better quality players to come on.”
Pundit James McFadden added: “The subs didn't come on and have a positive impact on the game, and you need that to happen, whether it's to stem the flow or change the flow. In actual fact, they made them more open. Before the game, you’re asking ‘how are Celtic going to approach it?’ Will they try and dominate the ball like they normally do?
“But it was aimless, and you could just see LASK getting stronger, more belief building. Celtic didn't have an answer to that, I mean even towards the end, they go from an unbelievable position of three goals up, to four goals up at one stage. Then they’re chasing a goal to take it to penalties, and they still didn't really create any chances. I think it does expose the squad.”
Much has been made of Luke McCowan's poor performance, but if he is not good enough to play at that level, then Celtic should not have to rely on him in such moments. With no disrespect to the midfielder, and we have defended him because it was never his intention to put in such an awful display, as angry as it may make people, but O'Neill needs better options.
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