By Alan Hutton

28th Sep, 2023 | 7:00am

Rangers expert 'worried' for Celtic after what he spotted

Celtic fans should be worried about the club’s ability to compete in the Champions League.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Rangers defender Alan Hutton said even he was worried watching the Hoops in their game against Feyenoord last week (19 September).

Despite an even start to the game in Rotterdam, the Celts went on to lose 2-0 and were reduced to nine men.

Brendan Rodgers will now be without one of his only fit first team centre-backs Gustaf Lagerbielke after he was shown a second yellow card and sent off.

Celtic have faced similar difficulties in the Champions League in the past, particularly away from home.

The last time the Hoops emerged from the group stage was in the 2012-13 season when they won seven of their 12 games.

When asked why the Celts struggle so much when they get to the top level of Europe, Hutton told Football Insider:

“Let’s not kid ourselves on it is hard,” he told Football Insider.

“The Champions League is the top so it is always going to be difficult. I thought in the first half there was not much in it up until half time when they scored.

“At certain moments, Celtic were playing out from the back and even not being a fan I was worried for them that they were going to give something away. I think they have to manage certain moments a little bit better.

“We can sit here and say that the budgets are not as big but this is a Feyenoord team that won the league last season and we saw what PSV did to Rangers, it is a different level, it is a step up.

“To compete with these guys, especially away from home, you have to be playing at the top of your game with your best players. Unfortunately for Celtic that did not happen but that is the level you have to get to in the Champions League.“

In other news, Kieran Maguire drops £34m Rangers reveal after big Celtic development.