The Celtic hierarchy has been criticised by foreign media for not building a team strong enough to challenge on the European stage.

It comes after Celtic suffered a third straight Europa League defeat, which leaves them 35th out of 36th in the league phase with five games remaining.

Martin O’Neill’s side took the lead over Celta Vigo, but the away side netted twice in three minutes to inflict more European pain on the Scottish champions.

For more, catch up on the latest Celtic news.

American-based broadcaster Ian Joy had plenty to say about the performance in his post-match analysis. But rather than delve into the game itself, Joy pointed the finger at “whoever’s running the club” and said they don’t have “the European knowledge” to build a team worthy of competing amongst clubs at that level.

Joy told CBS Sports (@CBSSportsGolazo):

“I don’t think that Martin is put in a good position by Glasgow Celtic to have success, because I just don’t think this squad is built for success.

“Now I know they had an opportunity to get something from this game. I know they played better in this game.

“They created some good chances. But this squad was not built for European success.

“The squad was built for domestic success. But on the European stage, this has taught us a big lesson again.

“Whoever’s running the club, whoever’s bringing these players to the football club, clearly doesn’t have European experience, or doesn’t have the European knowledge, or doesn’t have the European analytics to be able to put the squad together. They are so far away from being competitive. They are conceding far too many goals right now.

“Celtic are not the European fortress that they once were. Now I know Rangers fans will say, we had more success in Europe recently than you did.

“But Celtic’s history is winning the European Cup. Celtic’s history is getting to European finals. Where’s that gone? Where’s that pride gone from Celtic Football Club? I think a few changes need to take place.”

Joy then turned to the recent protests that involved tennis balls being thrown on the green at St Andrews, where major shareholder Dermot Desmond was standing. It came amid growing frustration amongst fans who don’t believe there’s a long-term strategy in place.

Joy understands supporters’ anger.

“Now we’ve seen obviously the leadership at this football club being challenged most recently”, he added. “And of course I think the fans are allowed to voice their opinion. And that they’re upset.

“They want to see the team compete on the European stage. They don’t just want to see this domestic success. Yes, it’s fine.

“But it’s not enough for Celtic fans now. They want more. They want to compete on the European stage.

“They want to get to a European final. They should believe it. But they are so far away from actually achieving something like that.”

Joy ended by saying the club, who are “sitting on so much money in the bank”, must realise that worthy investment is required to compete in Europe, otherwise they risk slipping further down the food chain. His final comments were: “If you build it on European success, they’ll win domestically.”

Many supporters will share his frustration at seeing the club continuously fail at this level. Unfortunately, though, Joy’s words will fall on deaf ears with those who should really be paying attention.