Walter Smith insists the lack of finance and football fundamentals has left Scottish clubs with a problem in Europe.
Another inquest into the state of Scottish football is under way after Celtic, Dundee United and Motherwell were dumped out of the Europa League at the final qualifying stage, leaving Rangers as Scotland's only representatives in Europe. The Ibrox club were drawn against Manchester United, Valencia and Bursaspor in their Champions League group, and the best the Light Blues can realistically expect is a third-place finish and a Europa League slot.
"I would hope it would make people realise that we have got a problem," said Smith.
"The problem in the main part is a financial one. If we are able to invest in our teams, we can do well in European football, we've shown that.
"Over the last few years Celtic have beaten Manchester United and others and we had a notable run a couple of years ago. But if we can't invest - and it's the same for the whole of Scottish football - we will not reach the levels that we should.
"It's not only down to finances, it's due to the fact that we don't have enough good players playing in our country. We continue to talk about it and everyone thinks there is some managerial magic that will help us but it won't.
"The situation outwith the manager's control has to be adjusted and so far I don't think we realise that. All we ever do is talk, we are going to have to do something about it.
"We know ourselves we are not producing the numbers or level of players in the professional game.
"That's something we have to adjust to and then we have to find a way to get a level of finance into the top clubs in the country to make sure we acquit ourselves in a better, more consistent manner."
Source: PA
