ANDY WALKER insists Celtic are at the end of an era after claiming that the squad will need to be rebuilt this summer.
The former Bhoys striker believes the title race is over after Wednesday’s draw at Livingston - a fourth straight game without a win - left Neil Lennon’s side 20 points behind runaway leaders Rangers.
Walker also insists the astonishing quadruple treble feat is now just a distant memory as Celtic face up to an uncertain future on the pitch.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Walker said: “It's going to be a really long season for Celtic supporters.
“We are in January, the league has long gone and they are just wondering what will happen at the club in the near future.
“Whatever you think about Celtic, a lot of people will realise that this is the end of an era.
“The quadruple treble and the astonishing Invincible season, they are now just great memories.
“So, you have to think, what do you do now?
“This team will break up and that's going to be an astonishing job to rebuild.
“I don't know who will be doing the rebuilding and right now, I don't think anyone knows what sort of finances will be involved in the game.”
Walker, who has refused to back down from describing the club’s ill-judged trip to Dubai as a ‘jolly’ despite Lennon demanding an apology, added: “The big problem now that Celtic will realise is you are asking supporters to buy into something that's broken for next season.
“They are looking at players who won't be there, the loan players, for example, like Diego Laxalt, Shane Duffy and Mohamed Elyounoussi.
“The reality of the harsh financial landscape will kick in - how will that affect others? Maybe that means players that Celtic don't want to lose will then be open to offers, just to get money in. Celtic are like any other club, they are being affected financially.
“So it's going to be a long number of months before the end of the season.
“I think you always have to regard a change as an opportunity, but I don't know who it will fall for.”
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