EXCLUSIVE! Double domestic warning issued to Celtic

Celtic’s performance against LASK sent another shudder of fear through the Ibrox support.

While most bears claim that they don’t care or didn’t watch the reality is very different.

The vast majority were watching every minute on TNT Sport. Hoping for crumbs of comfort on the eve of their own Conference League Play Off.

A year ago under the did that is Russell Martin the Ibrox mob faced Club Brugge in a Champions League Play Off.

Under uber-staunch Derek McInnes they will have to beat Jablonec to avoid a season without group stage European football.

They thought that the gab was wide when Mark Warburton was crushed under the Invincibles of Brendan Rodgers.

A decade later it is hard to put up an argument that the two Glasgow sides are any closer.

In times like this worried bears can always count on the Daily Record for words of comfort.

Today the lads on the Sports Desk rose to the challenge with style.

Not one but two special stories were delivered to calm the anxiety over Celtic pulling further clear of the toiling Tribute Act.

The Ibrox gaffer knows he probably still needs five more players for the squad to resemble how he wants it to look.

But in the same breath, he must be craving the day when it slams shut.

When all the rumours, speculation, conjecture and uncertainty finally stops.

Then, and only then, will he be able to stand in front of a group of players and know exactly what he’s working with.

Not every Gers new boy will have been his first pick. There’s no doubt that some of them were on the Ibrox recruitment team’s list even before he arrived.

But at least when the window closes, he’ll feel that it’s HIS team.

Over the last three transfer windows 29 stars have arrived at Ibrox. None would have got into the Celtic side that beat LASK in UEFA’s top tournament.

The desperation of the Record to provide comfort only makes the fading publisher look more ridiculous.

Deep down 90% of Ibrox fans know that they are being served up third rate tripe.

WHEN YOU ARE MISSING JAMES TAVERNIER YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN TROUBLE

Most fans despised James Tavernier and the loser mentality that he wallowed in. They cursed and cringed when he trotted out the ‘disappointed’ excuse. They despaired when he jumped through hoops to avoid saying the dreaded D word.

Now they realise that Tav’s successors are downgrades on the former Wigan Athletic utility man.

This season they don’t even have the soothing words of Super Jack Butland to reassure after every set-back.

McInnes has inherited losers brought to the club by managers that have failed.

He has added 11 of his own signings and is four or five away from the core of a team. With two weeks left in the Transfer Window and no guarantee of European football.

After the 4/5 new signings for breakfast bears were served up an old favourite at lunchtime.