Monday 4 January 2016 17:19, UK
Former Celtic striker Andy Walker says a lack of attacking options has led to pressure on Hoops manager Ronny Deila.
Celtic lost just four domestic matches in 2015 and won the Scottish Premiership and League Cup last season, as well as reaching the knockout stage of the Europa League.
While the results in this campaign at European level have been poor the team remain in the hunt for all three domestic trophies.
Celtic have traditionally unearthed quality strikers, with Walker playing beside Frank McAvennie and the likes of Henrik Larsson, Chris Sutton, John Hartson and Gary Hooper all scoring on a regular basis for the club.
McAvennie, Sutton and Hartson were all recruited from the top flight of English football, a market which is virtually closed to any Scottish clubs in the current financial climate.
Hooper and Larsson - the latter considered by most Celtic fans as the club's greatest signing - exceeded expectations considering their transfer fees, but quality strikers have been harder to find in the last couple of years.
Derk Boerrigter, Stefan Scepovic and Teemu Pukki all failed to hit the net on a regular basis while Nadir Ciftci, a summer signing from Dundee United, has struggled to settle.
However, Leigh Griffiths, who has just returned after a month out with a calf problem, has been a resounding success and last week's winner in the Glasgow derby victory over Partick Thistle was his 20th goal of the season.
Of that quintet only Ciftci was recruited under Deila's stewardship but Walker believes inconsistency on the pitch under the Norwegian is leading to frustration among the Celtic supporters.
Walker told Sky Sports News HQ. "He could shake it up a bit. Celtic are renowned for their striking partnerships down through the years - I played in one myself with Frank McAvennie, who was a terrific player and Larsson and Sutton were here not so long ago.
"I think Nadir Ciftci, if Leigh Griffiths is injured, certainly needs a bit of help. He's not the type of striker that can play on his own up front. Leigh Griffiths has been terrific but not quite 100 per cent fit at the moment, although he was still able to come on at the weekend and get the all-important winner.
"So I think the supporters would like to see a bit of flexibility from the manager and the way that he plays.
"They'd certainly like to see some better recruitment. I think when you look at the amount of money Celtic do spend, getting the likes of Scepovic and Boerrigter in, that's the best part of £5m, and when Celtic spend that kind of money you expect to see a bit of evidence on the park that they are improving, but those two players for a lot of money have done absolutely nothing.
"Certainly the recruitment can improve, and I think Celtic will try and do some business in this January transfer window. They'll have an eye on the Champions League qualifiers in the summer, and that is everything to the Celtic supporters. They are desperate for Champions League football again.
"I don't think there will be any business done out, unless there are players who are happy to go. I think Celtic will retain the squad that they have. Hopefully if they can get players out who are very heavy on the wage bill, I think they would like to bring in another striker.
"No one knows what would happen, let's say if Leigh Griffiths was to pick up a more serious injury, Celtic would be struggling up front."
Walker believes Deila can still defy his critics, with a possible treble this season, but it may depend on how well Celtic perform in the January transfer market.
"When you look at the games coming up it could be a good season for Celtic. They play in the cup on Sunday away at Stranraer, which is live on Sky. That's a banana skin for any team," he added.
"When you look at what Celtic are trying to do, obviously trying to improve the team, and I think there is a bit of pressure on Ronny Deila and those who put players in front of him to get it right."
