Alan Stubbs in Celtic board blame game as he spots telling clue in Brendan Rodgers body language

Alan Stubbs insists Brendan Rodgers is facing a battle for silverware this season because of the Parkhead board’s transfer bungling.

The former Hoops hero believes his old side can still have the edge over rivals Rangers over the run in. But Rodgers’ task has been made tougher due to the failure to allow him to tool up last season’s Treble winners in the summer and winter windows.

Celtic have seen an eight-point Premiership lead turn into a two points deficit but they remain in the hunt and are gunning for Scottish Cup glory with Livingston at Parkhead in Sunday’s quarter-final clash. But Stubbs admitted he understands fans’ frustration at the failure to deliver on promises made to the manager – and it should lead to sweeping changes at the end of the season following the departure of recruitment chief Mark Lawwell. He said: “I think we all understand and realise that Brendan was given assurances when he came that this was going to happen.

“That hasn’t happened. I think looking at Brendan’s body language you can see that he can’t come out and say it but he has to do what he can with this group of players until the end of the season.

“I think once he gets to the end of the season you will see a lot of changes at Celtic, irrespective of what happens and I believe Brendan will give recommendations to the board that there are a lot of players in that squad whom he will want to be moved on.”

The transfer dithering has left Celts in a scrap and Stubbs can sympathise with supporters who feel the door was left open for Rangers. The Hoops recruited several prospects in the summer who have failed to hit the heights – and only added Adam Idah on loan and winger Nicolas Kuhn in January.

Stubbs said: “I am surprised (where they are)