FORMER Celtic striker John Hartson has leapt to the defence of Ange Postecoglou after his old side's slow start to the new campaign.

The Parkhead club were knocked out of the qualifying rounds of the Champions League and have won just three of thier opening seven Premiership fixtures, leaving the title hopefuls languishing in mid-table at this early stage of the season.

Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw with Dundee United at the weekend, opening up a six-point gap with Rangers in first, with Swiss striker Albian Ajeti guilty of missing a sitter in the first half after blazing over from a few yards out.

Glasgow Times:

Hartson reckons that Postecolgou requires more time to stamp his authority on the squad - adding that any manager would struggle with the transition that Celtic are currently going through.

"With everything in the mix at the start of the season - getting Ange in, everything that was changing, if Celtic were to win the league this year it would be an unbelievable achievement," he told the Go Radio Football Show.

"Rangers started, rightly so, as the favourites. They have lost this season but they seem to be winning games and not quite being at their best, which is the sign of a good side.

"For me, Ange Postecoglou has to get more time. It's early in the season, we've not won away from home yet. He'll know that and the biggest pressure is what he will be putting on himself.

"He's an honest, straight-talking guy and he will know the results away from have not been there and not been good enough.

"Celtic won't make a change in terms of a managerial role, because if you make a change at this stage, the new manager would have the same problems.

Glasgow Times:

"They would want to bring in their own players, and we know the big problems are in defence. We look all over the shop at times."

Hartson continued: "When you pay £5million for Ajeti and he misses from three yards, what do you do about that?

"Ange didn't bring him in and he's the only fit striker. What do you do and what do you say?

"The players are not performing to the level that they can do. You look at the bench, and Adam Montgomery is just a young lad who has come into the group, but he's expected to come on and win games.

Glasgow Times:

"What does Ange do when a centre forward misses from three yards? Do you sack the manager? Do you start again? I think he needs another window."