Thursday 30 March 2017 07:51, UK
Martin O'Neill's Celtic were a "far superior" side to the current team managed by Brendan Rodgers, according to Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas.
Rodgers' side have not lost a domestic match this season and can clinch their sixth straight Scottish Premiership title with victory at Hearts, live on Sky Sports, on Sunday.
Despite their unbeaten run, Nicholas believes they fail to match up to the famous Celtic team under O'Neill between 2000 and 2005.
That side won the treble in O'Neill's first season in charge and ended his five-year spell with three league titles, three Scottish Cups and a League Cup.
On Rodgers' current Celtic team, Nicholas said: "The fact they are unbeaten and have this invincible tag makes them a good team but I've said it a number of times, the standard is poor.
"That's not their fault, they can only beat what's put in front of them.
"O'Neill's side had five or six big names and were far superior to this current team, but they also took the club to the brink financially, paying big salaries.
"They had some great nights in Europe and it was great for the fans."
The current Celtic team are on course for their first treble since 2001, having taken 83 points from a possible 87 so far this season.
They are 25 points clear of second-place Aberdeen and Nicholas says much of their success is owed to shrewd signings in the transfer market.
"The team Brendan has assembled are certainly value for money," Nicholas added. "They are good to watch and the best Celtic side I've seen for five or six seasons with their style of play.
"He's made some good signings - Moussa Dembele obviously stands out and Scott Sinclair has done well, but he didn't make it in England.
"Stuart Armstrong and Kieran Tierney have also come on under Brendan. If Brendan stays I think they will continue to get better and he'll stay until he gets bored, and he will, before moving on.
"He's done very well considering the money he's spent but they are still not as exciting as Martin's team."
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