Celtic icon Kenny Dalglish absolved Ange Postecoglou of any blame for the club’s UEFA Champions League exit, feeling the qualifiers came too soon for the Greek-Australian to put his stamp on things at Parkhead. However, he feels that after yesterday’s defeat to Hearts, the new boss will be afforded no more free passes on the domestic front.

Writing in his Sunday Post column, Dalglish said: “In the next few weeks, it may be that they (Celtic) need to bring in five or six new faces if if one or two current first team players are sold.”

The goalscoring hero went on to explain that no individual or one department of the club are to blame for the club’s poor results in recent weeks. Instead, he insists that all areas must pull together and work to overcome a difficult start to the campaign.

“Ange alone cannot fix all the issues and problems Celtic have at this moment,” Dalglish said. “It’s too big a job for one man to take to take all on his own shoulders. New chief executive, Dom McKay, also can’t do it all on his own. Likewise, the scouting department can’t be held solely accountable.”

It will take a huge effort for the Bhoys to claw back ground in the title race and to reach the Europa League group stages. They seem to be luckless at the moment and have a long way to go in terms of developing the squad and getting the players used to Ange Postecoglou’s style of play.

Dalglish touched on that point, stating: “At the moment, it just appears to be that it never rains but it pours for Celtic. Indeed, it tends to come in floods, and feels as though they have been swimming against the tide for months.

“They have put their faith in Ange to reverse the flow, but they need to add to the squad further – sooner rather than later.

“Recruitment will be a massive part of it all, and there is still a need to bring in three or four players. They all need to pull together, and give their absolute maximum in addressing what needs to be fixed at Celtic Park. Doing this collectively will give them a much better chance of succeeding.”