£9.2m Celtic transfers provide uncertainty as ‘next level’ question provides harsh verdict on four stars.

Celtic’s transfer strategy has come under scrutiny in recent times.

Alan Stubbs questions whether four Celtic stars have the potential to elevate the champions’ performance.

The former defender has been watching as the Hoops go through a difficult patch. Transfer business has been highly criticized

following a poor January window in which just striker Adam Idah from Norwich City and winger Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Vienna were signed.

Rangers advanced to first place after a 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock. Stubbs criticized four Celtic players for their performance. Kuhn’s list of posers now includes left-back Alexandro Bernabei, midfielder Paulo Bernardo, and striker Oh.

Bernardo is on loan from Benfica; Bernabei cost £3.75 million; Oh cost £2.75 million; and Kuhn cost £4 million last month. That’s a combined sum of about £9.2 million, and Stubbs believes none of the five meet Celtic’s standards.

He told PLZ: “If Celtic have their best XI on the pitch, it’s a different story, but they must go with what they’ve got.” Just look at their bench from Saturday – Oh, Kuhn, Bernardo, and Bernabei – and I’m not sure whether they’re players who can propel them to the next level.

“I’ve been perplexed with some of the signings and this could be the bit that bites them on the backside in terms of their recruitment policy over the past 18 months since Ange has gone.”

Celtic face a critical Premiership clash this Sunday. They travel to Motherwell aiming to close the gap, but they’ll need Hearts to beat Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.