Kenny Dalglish reckons the standard of the Scottish Premiership has a lot to do with Celtic's struggles in the Champions League.
The Hoops have struggled in Europe's elite competition this season with Brendan Rodgers' side yet to pick up a win.
A draw against Atletico Madrid in the last round of fixtures has given Celtic hope of European football beyond Christmas, but now they travel away to face Diego Simeone's side and a result is key.
Dalglish has watched his former side in the Champions League this term and despite seeing a progression from last year under Ange Postecoglou, he feels they need to do more in matches to ultimately get over the line to get points on the board.
He wrote in the Sunday Post: "Celtic travel to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night for what is, certainly on paper, the most difficult of their six Champions League group games. Brendan Rodgers and his players sit bottom of their section on one point from three games. It's highly likely they'll still be bottom come 10pm Tuesday. They have left themselves a mountain to climb to even finish third in the table. Yet, they were in front against Lazio at Celtic Park and lost 2-1.
"They twice led Atletico at Parkhead and ended with a 2-2 draw. They need to learn that when they go in front they must slow things down and take the sting out of the game. But that is easier said than done. I totally accept that. Part of the reason for that is it's an alien concept to Celtic most weeks of the season. My former club is used to being on the front foot in almost every domestic game they play and trying to score goal after goal. It's not often that they are asked to defend.
"Sure, it's different against Rangers and that can be more of a ding-dong. But that's only four times a year. In the bulk of league matches, urged on by the crowd, home or away, they feel the need to keep banging the goals in. If they get one, they are under pressure to get two. If they get two they are urged on to get three. And so it goes on.
"It can't be that way in Europe, particularly at Champions League level. It is an unforgiving arena and, most times, any mistake or lapse in concentration will be punished. My view is that they were competitive last season in their six games when Ange Postecoglou was in charge. But they only had two points to show for it.
"This season, under Brendan, I think it's got better again. However, they've still not won a game. They need to make that step up from being a competent side to being a winning side on this stage. It will not be easy, but it's not impossible.
"Some of their football has been more than admirable but it's about getting points on the board and finishing in at least third place. Hopefully, between Spain on Tuesday and Lazio in Rome later this month, they can find a way to have something to play for against Feyenoord at home.
"But Atletico, Lazio and Feyenoord are more used to defending. They know how to stop teams and their fans accept it if they don't have the ball for long spells. So, it will take an extraordinary performance to leave Madrid with anything other than a defeat but I hope they manage to find something exceptional."
