Celtic chairman Peter Lawwell has told the club’s annual general meeting the financial gap with Europe’s top clubs is “getting bigger”.
On the park, Brendan Rodgers’ side have made a strong start to their Premiership defence but have one point from four Champions League group games.
“In Europe, it is getting tougher and tougher,” said Lawwell.
“There is a financial gap between ourselves and the major European clubs which is getting bigger. But we don’t give up. We competed well at home against Atletico [Madrid] and Lazio. We just have to be more consistent.
“From a financial perspective it was an exceptional year. The fundamentals are very strong.”
Celtic have won just one match in their past four Champions League group campaigns, including the current season.
Manager Rodgers said: “If you take away the second half [of the 6-0 loss] against Atletico Madrid, the players have been excellent and getting better each performance.
“But there is no doubt we have to be stronger going forward over the following seasons here, that was one of the big drivers to come back.”
Chief executive Michael Nicholson addressed the club’s ongoing ban of the Green Brigade supporter group, saying: “We all want Celtic Park full of Celtic fans supporting the team and Brendan.
“That has to be done in a safe way. We have had some concerns about safety in that particular section of the stadium and with that particular group for some time and this season those concerns have escalated. It was not a decision taken lightly but a decision taken for safety.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers, who “categorically” said no summer recruits were “pushed” on him, indicated he will need to reduce numbers in his squad but is looking to bring in more quality.
“I don’t want to add to the squad, we have a squad of 32 which we need to bring down as well as bring in quality players,” he said.
“But I am fairly comfortable that over the course of these next few windows that the squad both in terms of numbers and quality will look how I want it to.
“There will, naturally, be players who will want to go out and play, players who want to move on and we have to see if the players that are better than what we have are available to bring in. I can’t give you a number but there is always movement.
“We will always work hard but we won’t beg players to come.”
