Andy Walker has ripped the Celtic board to shreds, claiming they are out of touch with the common supporter over the club's Dubai winter training camp.

The players and staff headed out to train in the sunshine and searing heat despite a global pandemic and being 19 points behind Rangers following a 1-0 derby day defeat on Saturday afternoon.

The decision to jet out was down to the board and Walker insists they have 'a lack of understanding' as to how fans feel about their star men and backroom staff heading on a jaunt while folks back home are stuck in lockdown. Walker pointed to former Celtic stars and club legends like Billy McNeill who would not have allowed the trip to go ahead under the circumstances.

And he suggested there is no-one left at the club who has a clear understanding of fan frustrations. In his Sky Sports column, the ex-Hoops star wrote: "If only the Celtic of today had someone like Billy McNeill who could grasp the feelings of the supporters in an instant and understand what they are all going through in these extraordinary times. Sadly, there's no one.

"Those in the boardroom stand accused of a complete lack of understanding as to what it means to be a Celtic supporter and I doubt you could find one who spends any time with ordinary fans.

"The next time Celtic fans get a message from the privileged boardroom, it will no doubt be a call to dig deep into their pockets and renew their season tickets. No wonder some fans are in despair.

"I'm sure there's one or two of the current squad who feel extremely uncomfortable that while most of the general public are enduring enormous personal sacrifices, unable to see family or friends, they are lying by the side of the pool sipping beers or on the golf course. It's not a good look.

"Even if you put to one side the fact that Celtic blew their chances of getting back into the title race at Ibrox on Saturday, it seems as though everyone at the club is able to justify that during a global pandemic, it's a positive image for players, managers and a few hangers on to completely ignore what is happening at home.

"The problem with Celtic just now is that they come across as being totally inflexible. 'We've booked a trip and we don't care that things have changed. We know the whole of the UK is in a lockdown, but we can't do anything about it'. I'd argue that a bit of compassion and understanding wouldn't go amiss.

"As a captain and manager, Billy McNeill continually set a wonderful example and could easily grasp the mood of the Celtic support. No one at the club these days comes anywhere near his stature."