Celtic fans had to endure another painful evening in Europe, as Martin O’Neill’s side were well-beaten by Benfica on Thursday night.

After O’Neill guided Celtic to a domestic double last season, many were hoping for a sea change this summer and the best possible preparation in order to make a return to the Champions League.

Instead, it has been an embarrassment for the champions of Scotland in Europe, and Ian Paul Joy couldn’t hide his ‘frustrations’ on CBS Sports.

The American pundit, who played for several English and Scottish sides in his career, stated that Celtic are currently ‘unrecognisable’ after failing again on the European stage.

How far away are Celtic from genuinely competing with sides like Benfica and why?

Benfica are one of the favourites for the Europa League, something the Hoops should genuinely be targeting

Celtic slammed for European decline despite domestic success

Celtic were at their worst last season, yet they still won the double, including beating Hearts on the final day to clinch the title.

It was a prime example of how dominant Celtic have been on home soil, but it’s a different story altogether on the European stage.

That’s why CBS pundit Joy was right to call out how the champions of Scotland are being run when it comes to being ‘competitive’ in Europe.

Joy rightfully highlighted that Celtic don’t ‘properly’ invest in the transfer market in order to take the club to the next level.

That was proven for the Hoops’ last three matches in Europe – two in the Europa League and the second leg of a Champions League qualifier.

Celtic’s collapse in Austria against LASK was an ’embarrassment’, and now they have lost their opening two matches of the Europa League.

The bigger issue is how Celtic deserved to lose those games, including shipping four goals to a Marco Silva Benfica side that played several of its back-up players.

“I don’t want to end up in the Scottish national newspaper like I did the last time,” said Joy. “I will go on a small rant and say the Celtic right now are unrecognisable to me.

“They have lost four out of the last five competitive games. Yes, they are at the top of the Scottish Premiership. Well done. It’s wonderful.

“But I consistently repeat myself: they aren’t competitive enough on the European stage. There is no faulting the heart and the effort from the Celtic players in this game. They had as many shots on target as Benfica in this game, so they went for it.

“But you must be kidding me! If you don’t invest in the team properly to compete in European football, you will get f___ing nowhere, so I am so completely p___sed off. I am always frustrated when I see these types of results.

“If you look at what they have done over the last three games, both games in the Europa League and the embarrassment in the second leg against LASK in the Champions League. They have conceded 12 goals. It’s unacceptable, and Scottish football pays the price, which makes me annoyed.”