Chris Sutton reckons Celtic transfer 'penalty' being paid for key recruitment fault as slow start turns costly

Chris Sutton says a slow summer window from Celtic has contributed to a rocky start under Brendan Rodgers - as he claims Michael Beale has been left saying his transfer prayers.

The Hoops and Light Blues go head-to-head on Sunday in a pressure cooker clash at Ibrox. Last season's champions previous two games have resulted in a 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in the Viaplay Cup and 0-0 draw with St Johnstone, heaping pressure on returning boss Brendan Rodgers, while Michael Beale's men were humbled 5-1 by PSV and crashed out of Champions League qualifying midweek. They also lost their Premiership opener at Kilmarnock.

It means the mood music isn't entirely positive around both clubs, and with Rangers' rebuild leaving them with a quiet end to the window, expects more Parkhead business on top of Luis Palma and Nat Phillips to be completed in the final hours. The former striker, however, reckons his old club have been too slow in bringing people in and it's resulted in a ponderous start. Rangers meanwhile may be left counting the cost of Champions League elimination in Sutton's eyes.

He told the Daily Mail: "Where are Celtic and Rangers at right now? I think both clubs are worse off than they were a year ago at this stage of the season.

"You look at both teams, both squads, I think they are weaker and that is a concern and there is still time, whatever it is, in the window to bring in players. I think Celtic will, I am not so sure Rangers will. There's that financial aspect of not qualifying for the group stages which is a problem.

"Michael Beale is probably praying that the players he's brought in actually start firing. He's brought plenty forwards in and they haven't fired, that is an issue for him.

"From Brendan Rodgers' point