Sky Sports pundit and ex-Celtic player Davie Provan says he disagrees with Charlie Nicholas’s views on the club’s transfer spending, but he’s still not happy with how the Hoops go about their business in the market.

Manager Neil Lennon slammed Nicholas for his criticism of the club and while Provan says both of them are entitled to their opinion, he doesn’t think the board should get off scotfree. He feels the club’s failure to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League was due to the fact that signings weren’t brought in earlier enough in the transfer window:

“Can’t say I agree with my old team-mate Charlie Nicholas’ view on Celtic’s transfer business – but he’s sure as hell entitled to an opinion. Not according to Neil Lennon who describes Nick’s view as “silly.” Pity Neil isn’t as willing to call out Celts board instead of cosying up to Peter Lawwell.”

“Praising recruitment chief Nicky Hammond, Lenny reminds us he got six players in during the window without anyone leaving. Fine, but when only two were in early enough to start the biggest game of the season against Ferencvaros, it’s cost Celts £30million.”

Provan is making a legitimate criticism of chief executive Peter Lawwell and the club’s recruitment strategy. Celtic need to find a way of bringing in signings much earlier in order to prevent them from being knocked out so early in the qualifying rounds. The Hoops may have signed a number of new players but it was too late for them to have an impact on one of the biggest matches of the campaign.