Wednesday 13 July 2016 13:20, UK
Celtic's "humiliating" defeat to part-timers Lincoln Red Imps is arguably the worst result in their history, says Andy Walker.
In his first competitive match in charge, Brendan Rodgers' side suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to the Gibraltarian semi-professional side in the Champions League second qualifying round first-leg.
Lee Casciaro - a 34-year-old military policeman - scored the only goal three minutes into the second-half when he got the better of Efe Ambrose and beat Craig Gordon from close range.
"I can't quite believe what I saw," former Celtic player Walker said.
"I played in a few games for Celtic that were pretty embarrassing - arguably this is the worst result in the history of Celtic. It's embarrassing and humiliating. I don't think anyone saw it coming.
"Most of the players are Ronny Delia's signings, but this is Brendan Rodgers' team now. There's no escape from criticism and I think it highlights how much work is needed on the team.
"Brendan Rodgers coming into Celtic has given the supporters a lift, but these are the biggest games of the season.
"Rodgers has been brought in to deliver Champions League football and of course the tie is still very much alive, but this will shatter the confidence of some of the supporters.
"There is a level of humiliation here, this is a semi-amateur team. It's an extraordinary result and I don't think you can underestimate how sore the supporters will be feeling."
Celtic are still huge favourites to progress to the next round in the second leg at Celtic Park next week and Rodgers was keeping a positive outlook.
Walker disagreed and thinks Rodgers needs to be given money to spend in the transfer market in order to improve the quality in the Celtic squad.
"Brendan Rodgers has called it wrong: this is embarrassing," he said.
"Nothing less than a win in the second leg will do but even then the supporters will be looking at some of the players and thinking they're not quite good enough to take them to the Champions League group stages.
"I'm sure Brendan Rogders will realise that - he has to spend a bit of money. There's no point bringing in a manager of his pedigree and not giving him any money to work with in the transfer market."
