Celtic lack star quality - Keane

Celtic must spend before they consider playing as one of the European elite on a regular basis, according to Manchester United captain Roy Keane.

The Hoops reached the UEFA Cup final last season before falling to Porto in Seville.

But, after the 4-0 defeat by United in Seattle, Celtic fan Keane has expressed fears his boyhood heroes will not be able to build on that run without spending big money.

He said: “Celtic are an excellent team and have an excellent manager but like everyone else you have to keep looking to improve.

“Celtic just came up short in the league and in the UEFA Cup, like we did against Real Madrid, and there is such a fine line between winning and losing at the top level.

“The Champions League is hard. That’s where you need the top players and going by the UEFA Cup Final last season, Celtic lack that bit of magic.

“Maybe we’ve been lacking a bit ourselves but guys such as Ronaldinho and Ruud van Nistelrooy are thin on the ground.

“And when you consider their transfer fees and wages, it’s going to be difficult for the likes of Celtic.

“They were unfortunate against Porto but it shows you at this level the difference between winning and losing is so narrow.

“Celtic were also unlucky to lose the championship but that’s history and maybe you have to give Rangers a bit of credit. They had a great season to win a treble.”