SOME of the criticism that has been aimed at Celtic since their Champions League qualifying exit to AEK Athens has been justified, and some has been over the top in my view. The result can’t be changed, and all you can do as a club is try to move forward and remedy the areas of weakness.

That goes for the problems on the pitch and off of it too, and there is little doubt in my mind that the friction behind the scenes at Celtic seeped its way onto the field on Tuesday night.

There have been outbursts from the manager over the lack of support from the board in the transfer market, and what I would say is the number one priority in terms of the wellbeing of Celtic is that the fallout between the manager and Peter Lawwell is resolved quickly. There has to be a united front from Celtic now above all else.

There is also the issue of the manager very publicly refuting Dedryck Boyata’s version of events over his apparent ‘injury’, and that has caused more division, which is the last thing that Celtic need right now.

I was surprised that Boyata was given so much time off after the World Cup. Even from a practical point of view, Celtic could have been doing with him for the qualifiers, but the longer he was away then the more likely it was in my view that his head would get turned by the prospect of a move away.

Before anyone calls me a hypocrite for criticising Boyata, I should point out that I actually went on strike as a player back in the seventies for two weeks because I was being messed about with a contract. It was a point of principle, and it was through frustration more than anything. It was a different era, and I reflected on it as being a pointless exercise in the end, and I was back playing for the club soon enough. I don’t see any way back for Boyata though, it will be very difficult for him, and if he is to leave then I would get him out the door as soon as possible.

If Celtic want to make any impression on the Europa League and also want to maintain their domestic dominance, then it is imperative that this so-called disharmony is quelled as soon as possible.

Disunity within a club leads to a lack of success on the field. Simple as that. Perhaps Dermot Desmond can intervene and help to bring a resolution to a matter that whatever way you dress it up, is not in the best interests of Celtic Football Club.

Everyone on the Celtic board only wants what is best for the club, and the best for Celtic at this moment in time is to present a united front.

To me, there is fault on all sides, and if they acknowledge that then hopefully there can be some common ground found in the middle that will be to the benefit of the club.

Peter Lawwell is normally one of the best in the business when it comes to negotiations. With the John McGinn transfer, he appears to have slipped up, but until recently it appears to me as if Brendan has been backed with everything that he has wanted.

For whatever reason, that seems to have changed from what the manager is saying, and believe me, if the disharmony is maintained, then it will lead to a less successful football club.

There has to be a coming together, because there is no doubt in my mind that both Brendan and Peter are the best men to be in those positions to take Celtic forward. Celtic have to build upon what they have achieved over the past two years and ensure that this blip in the progression at the club under Brendan is nipped in the bud as quickly as possible.

You won’t convince me you can get a better team than those two, and if you are telling me there is a better chief executive in football that Peter Lawwell, then I don’t see it.

After such a successful spell, this has all seemed to come out of left-field almost at Celtic, and it simply has to be stopped if the club are going to get back on an even keel.