CELTIC have plunged into MELTDOWN, according to former striker Charlie Nicholas. 

The ex-Sky Sports pundit believes Ange Postecoglou underestimated the size of the task at hand at Parkhead. 

And Charlie Nic says this next seven days are the biggest at the Hoops in over a decade. 

Celtic dropped to six points behind Rangers in the Premiership after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United.

They face Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League this week at Parkhead followed by a Sunday lunchtime clash at Aberdeen.

Nicholas wrote in the Daily Express: "Ange Postecoglou looks to me to be the new Ronny Deila.

"I am not sure Postecoglou has realised how big Celtic really are before he came in.

"I believe he has missed a pitch. I think Ange thought he would just come in here and his playing style would get him over the line, no problem. But it is not about style, it is about winning.

"Ronny came in and thought: 'I will get the players really fit.'

"He then brought in John Collins to help him and it got results but, in the long term, teams were getting closer to Celtic and they had to bring in Brendan Rodgers.

"People are casting him as the next Tony Mowbray. In Tony's defence, he was told before he took the Celtic job there were funds, but they were never produced.

"Tony was then left exposed and what followed was Neil Lennon's first spell at the club.

"I am not saying Ange is being exposed but he is not making the best of things.

"Celtic are in meltdown just now. I know Ange is going to fight and scrap against anything but he is standing there without even his own No. 2 beside him.

"He has no protection or help. The manager is not under pressure over his job. I know it is a results business and his team is not playing well. The responsibility for things on the pitch should lie at the manager's door.

"This manager is on the edge. Thursday against Bayer Leverkusen is not going to help him and if they were to lose in Aberdeen then I think a lot of the fans would turn. I watched them against Dundee United.

"Cameron Carter-Vickers should have been red-carded and United should have been given a penalty.

"It is falling into the category of being so average again. There is no shape or structure. How much do they miss Callum McGregor in the midfield? It really is scary."