Chris Sutton last night cited exits for Jota and Carl Starfelt as he questioned Celtic transfer business this summer.
The Parkhead hero reckons Celtic may have paid the consequence for poor recruitment after key departures this summer as the club crashed out the Viaplay Cup.
Brendan Rodgers' side struggled as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.
And after the match, Rodgers had conceded Celtic may need to bring in more quality before the transfer window shuts.
Sutton is certain more work needs to be done with incomings as he suggested Jota hasn't been replaced since his money-spinning move to Saudi and called the exit for Starfelt into question so close to important matches.
On the 606 Football Phone-in, Sutton said: "What do Celtic fans think about that defeat? Was it coming? Celtic, have they done enough work quickly in the transfer market? I don't believe they have, they have lost Jota, have injuries to key players.
"Celtic lost Jota who was a key player for them last season and haven't really replaced him.
"That centre-back partnership, I don't think they lost a domestic game with Carter-Vickers and Starfelt. Carter-Vickers pulled a hamstring last week or has a hamstring injury, and Starfelt was sold to Celta Vigo.
"You are thinking why are you letting a player of that ilk go when there are important games coming up at the start of the season?
"Out the League Cup, that's a big blow for Brendan Rodgers. Should they have acted in the recruitment market and brought a bit more quality in? I think they should have done."
After the defeat, Rodgers commented: “We want good players, whatever age they are. We need quality, that’s for sure. Hopefully between now and the end of the window we can improve the squad.
“Clearly the model of the club is to bring the players in at a younger age and develop them and improve them. But we are not against bringing in someone at 26 or 27 if they can improve the squad.
“When I look at the team, it’s that match-winning ability that we maybe need to have more of within the squad.”
