Timid Celtic have left Brendan Rodgers on a tightrope but I fear he can't fix one Champions League problem – Chris Sutton

Celtic look weak and timid in the Champions League. Worryingly for them, I’m beginning to wonder if others aren’t scared of them on the home front anymore and they are losing some of their own fear factor.

Brendan Rodgers might not be able to fix the first one of those. But the manager definitely needs to find a way to quickly reinstate the second because the club are walking a tightrope at the moment and can’t afford to stumble. Let’s deal with Europe first. Given the fallout from the Champions League exit, we’ve heard all the predictable statements following the similarity predictable outcome in Rome.

Celtic’s defeat to Lazio was just another in the long line of setbacks which have come my old club’s way on the continent. Rodgers spoke afterwards about needing to add quality to the ranks to compete at that level and that is obvious. Trouble is, how much do you need? Quite frankly, clubs have spent tens of millions to try and make an impact and failed.

Celtic can’t do that and, even if they do spend a good few quid, you get the impression they are going to have to have their best team on the pitch every single time they play to have any chance of making it happen. Let’s face it, that just doesn’t happen. It hasn’t happened this term and it didn’t happen last season either with important players such as Jota absent on more than one occasion during the group stages.

Celtic couldn’t win a game last season when they were better prepared. They haven’t won a game this season with less impressive preparation.

Now let’s get one thing straight. I’m not saying they should just give up. Just accept you are going to lose. You have to be able to land a few blows now and again and get some positive results to sprinkle around now and