Celtic were given a fright by the Bairns – and Hoops fans reckon too many changes to their starting line-up was a schoolboy error on Brendan Rodgers’ part.
Parkhead was stunned when Championship leaders Falkirk raced into a 2-1 half-time lead in Sunday’s League Cup quarter final. But the introduction of Nicolas Kuhn, Arne Engels and Greg Taylor with half an hour to go turned the tide as Celtic hit back to win 5-2.
Not everyone was impressed though. Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “I expected three or four changes to the starting line up but to have eight was astonishing in my eyes when you consider Falkirk’s recent form. A valuable lesson was learned here and if a similar amount of changes are made in the semi final against Aberdeen then Rangers will have every chance of holding on to their Mickey Mouse trophy.”
Frank Jackson emailed: “It would appear that the Celtic strength in depth is maybe not as good as the fans thought. Fair play to Falkirk for having a go.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “That was a flattering scoreline for Celtic. I thought Falkirk were outstanding and played far better than any Premiership team has against us, especially Rangers. But bringing on the subs totally changed the game. Luis Palma was yet again less than average offering very little and how Stephen Welsh still gets to play for us is beyond me, he can’t pass a ball, can’t defend and is as slow as an asthmatic snail carrying heavy shopping.”
But Seamie Gallacher, Govan Road, was more positive, saying: “I would like to pay tribute to Falkirk for giving Celtic our hardest game of the season so far. Ultimately class told in the end – not one team in Scotland can live with us on this form.”
And James Robertson, Alabama, added: “The tale of two halves. Unable to establish dominance in the first half, Brendan Rodgers makes key substitutions in the second half to dominate and win comfortably. This could be a special season.”
Meanwhile, Scott Gowers, Edinburgh, said: “Celtic’s hard-fought win against Falkirk tells two different stories, the first that Celtic obviously have a much better squad but also that Steve Clarke can never pick an ageing James Forrest for Scotland again. If you can’t pick up your game against a lower league team and their players dominate you then you are past Scotland International class.”
Elsewhere on Sunday and Steven Naismith became the second managerial casualty of the Premiership season when Hearts chiefs pulled the trigger after an eighth successive defeat. The Tynecastle club are expected to turn to Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics to aid their hunt for their next manager.
But with more than a hint of mischief, Neil Renton, Leith, said: “Now they’ve got rid of Stevie Nae-wins, we all know who Hearts need to lead the club onto better things. They need a double management team of a couple of fighters who’ve got the experience of winning things. They need Neil Lennon and Scott Brown.”
Equally tongue in cheek, Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “I see Naismith has finally been shown the door – he will be in the frame for the Rangers job very soon.”
Meanwhile, the mudslinging between Rangers and Celtic fans over European performances rumbled on into a new week.
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “In all my years I’ve never heard the Celtic supporters speaking well of any other team. Strange how they’re all now bigging up Slovakian minnows Slovan Bratislava. The Slovakia League needs all the help it can get as they are playing in front of crowds averaging 5000. For all the Celtic supporters interested then season tickets are available.”
But Andy Logan, Livingston, said: “Love all the Rangers fans comments on Celtic in the Champions League over the last so many years. Simple question, where were you all this time? The one season you did qualify you embarrassed everyone with the worst record ever in the history of the competition!”