The ‘stupid’ transfer move that cost Celtic £40 million in European earnings.

Chris Sutton has questioned Celtic’s transfer strategy following their dramatic Champions League exit against LASK, with the former Hoops striker particularly critical of the decision to allow key players to leave before the club’s biggest European fixtures.

Celtic suffered a remarkable collapse against LASK despite taking a commanding 3-0 advantage into the second leg. Callum McGregor appeared to put the Scottish champions in complete control when he extended their aggregate lead to 4-0.

However, what followed was an extraordinary turnaround. LASK scored five times to overturn the deficit and send Celtic crashing out of the Champions League and into the Europa League.

The defeat has immediately intensified scrutiny on Celtic’s summer transfer business, with questions being raised about whether the club weakened its squad at precisely the wrong moment.

Sutton was particularly unimpressed with the decision to sell players before Celtic had completed their Champions League qualifying campaign. Taking to social media, the former Celtic striker argued that the club should have prioritised strengthening the squad before allowing important players to leave.

“Fail to prepare, prepare to fail,” Sutton wrote, highlighting his frustration with the club’s approach.

He then questioned why Celtic would weaken their midfield when the most important matches of the early season were approaching.

“People can say what they like about the collapse and I respect that, but why sell your legs in midfield and weaken your team when the biggest games of the season are around the corner,” Sutton said.

The former striker also specifically questioned the decision to allow Daizen Maeda to leave Celtic.

“Why sell Maeda? It’s just stupid… the justification is in the winning… Celtic lost,” he added.

Sutton’s comments have added further fuel to the debate surrounding Celtic’s recruitment strategy. The club had the opportunity to secure a significant financial reward by reaching the Champions League proper, with the failure to qualify potentially costing them around £40 million in European revenue.

The scale of that missed opportunity makes the timing of Celtic’s outgoing transfers particularly significant. While the club did bring in four players during the summer transfer window, concerns remained about the depth available to manager Wilfried Nancy in several key positions.

Those concerns became especially obvious during the two-legged tie against LASK.

Celtic entered the crucial European fixtures without experienced senior cover in goal and at left-back. Those shortages left the squad looking vulnerable, particularly with the Champions League qualification campaign carrying such enormous financial and sporting importance.

The midfield was another area where Celtic appeared to lack sufficient options. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was unavailable because of suspension, further reducing the manager’s choices in the centre of the pitch.

The departures of Maeda and Arne Engels also became major talking points.

Both players had provided valuable options, but their exits left Celtic with fewer alternatives, particularly in midfield following Engels’ departure. That lack of depth became increasingly concerning as the tie against LASK developed into a high-pressure contest.

Celtic had looked to be heading comfortably towards qualification after their first-leg victory. A 3-0 lead gave them an enormous advantage, and McGregor’s goal in the second leg appeared to make the outcome virtually certain.

Instead, LASK produced a stunning comeback.

Five goals transformed what should have been a straightforward progression into one of the most damaging European collapses in Celtic’s recent history. The result not only ended their Champions League ambitions but also raised serious questions about the club’s preparations for the campaign.

For Sutton, the central issue is not simply the collapse itself. He accepts that Celtic’s performance on the night deserves criticism, but he believes the club’s transfer decisions should also be examined.

His argument is that Celtic should not have weakened important areas of the squad while preparing for matches capable of determining the club’s European future.

The decision to sell players before completing the qualifying campaign has therefore become a major talking point among supporters.

Celtic now face the consequences of missing out on the Champions League. Instead of competing in Europe’s premier club competition and collecting the substantial financial rewards attached to qualification, they will continue their European campaign in the Europa League.

That represents a significant financial blow, particularly given the potential £40 million windfall that was available.

The defeat has consequently turned the spotlight firmly onto Celtic’s summer recruitment strategy. Four new signings were made, but the squad still appeared to have obvious weaknesses when the most important European games arrived.

The lack of senior goalkeeping and left-back cover, combined with limited midfield options, has made the club’s decision-making a major subject of debate.

Sutton’s criticism is likely to resonate with supporters who believe Celtic should have prioritised Champions League qualification before sanctioning significant departures.

Ultimately, the justification for every transfer decision at a club like Celtic is measured by results. After surrendering a four-goal aggregate advantage and failing to reach the Champions League, the argument over whether Celtic weakened themselves at the wrong time is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.