Bertie is also no stranger to being involved in an under-achieving team, but can reflect with the experience of a true winner. Having taken part in many a disappointing result during his two spells with Celtic plus having to deal with the ignominy at being sold by Sir Robert Kelly after getting yet another petulant red card against Rangers Auld has great experience of the ups and downs of football.
It is with this in mind that Bertie can show a great level of empathy for how the current players must be feeling after yet another Cup failure; however Auld also feels that removing the day to day activities away from the environs of Celtic Park has a negative effect not only on the players but also the supporters.
"I come from Glasgow and I knew what it was like to have a bad time for Celtic.
"The fans never slagged us but they knew that we were every bit as disappointed as they were if we had a bad game. But I feel as if they isolate themselves because they very seldom come in contact with the man who pays their wages. It is difficult to get to Lennoxtown."
"I still get a kick going in to Celtic Park, I love going there."
"I enjoyed seeing the players that were brought in the last five or seven years but since we have moved to Lennoxtown, I don't see them."
"I always thought that it was great when there two or three hundred people, youths and people out of work, waiting at Celtic Park for the players coming from Barrowfield and speaking to them because that is what it's all about. This is something I would love my grandkids to be able to do, say that they spoke to Scott McDonald and Aiden McGeady, and having them as their idols.
"Every Celtic supporter would wish for their children and grandchildren to play for Celtic.
"We have a fabulous superstore at Celtic Park and I would make the point that, if a player is injured, he should go down for an hour or two in the afternoon and go back to where we are from."
Wish words Bertie! Whilst I feel that there are benefits to the first team training in the idyllic surroundings that is the training facility, Bertie's comments take me back to those halcyon days when footballers were available to meet and greet the fans. This is sad that this is no longer the case, although I can see why this has had to move on.
Bertie then shifted his attention to the much maligned strikers in Samaras and Venegoor and generously admitted that he does not place the blame at either of the striker's door.
He said: "Samaras and Venegoor of Hesselink are going through a horrid time. You don't know who is the right man to partner Scott McDonald.
"But I don't just put it down to them; I don't think they are getting the right ball for them to attack and score.
"So we can improve on a lot of positions."
Having said that though, Auld was quick to give Venegoor a few pointers.
Auld said: "Vennegoor of Hesselink has gone back. He was never all that mobile but he was aggressive in the air and good for Scott McDonald.
"It's time he started fighting for the ball again, leaning into players and bringing team-mates into play."
Then Bertie diverted his attention to the player's mental attributes and admitted that he wished every player had the mettle and will to win that Artur Boruc would appear to have in spades.
He said: "The most important player we have is the goalkeeper - and he's the one who comes in for most criticism.
"If we had his ability outfield as well, teams would find Celtic awfully difficult to beat.
"Artur is fantastic captain material, although I wouldn't have a keeper wearing the armband. He's a fabulous person because he drives on team-mates. He makes it happen on the park.
"We need to find someone like him who can dig deep and drive on the team.
"Gordon brought Artur to the club and he's seen as controversial, which is fair enough because he is, but I would like to see others with that type of ability in the team because he's one of the best keepers in Britain.
"I would like to see someone like Boruc in midfield, up front and also at the back. We need more of his arrogance and quality."
Finally Bertie gave an opinion as to where he sees the root of our current problems lie.
"Where we fell down was in the summer and last transfer window when we didn't bring in a bit of quality - someone who could stamp his authority on games.
"Celtic have always been known for their entertainers but right now we are short in that department.
"Whether it's the financial climate or not, I don't know. But if you are guaranteed selling more than 50,000 season-tickets every year before you kick a ball, the club has to deliver. The football has been difficult to watch at times. I was lucky in that my team had players like Bobby Murdoch, Jimmy Johnstone and Bobby Lennox who were superb.
"We need to strengthen now. We don't just need more players, we need good players.
Lol
Yours in Celtic
Clydebuilt