It’s now four out in recent months at Rangers with John Bennett, James Bisgrove and Zeb Jacobs being joined by Creag Robertson in heading out the exit door.
The man in the street would do well to identify messrs Jacob and Robertson, however, the quartet’s exits from Ibrox in recent months have created four vacancies that need filling. Yes, chairman Bennett’s departure has been temporarily filled by John Gilligan, however, incomings are a neccessity.
And a Hotline wind-up merchant is willing to prep potential candidates about the only subject matter he reckons enters the mind of punters in light blue. Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “Another job going up on the jobs board at Ibrox. Chairman wanted, CEO wanted, now football operations wanted on top of an academy manager. Internal applicants only. Applicants must be able to say all the right words to the faithful about Celtic. Tearoom staff look like a safe choice.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, added: “Rangers are sitting a mighty third in the league and still all their fans are more interested in knocking the Celtic team calling our players bang average! Let me tell you that not one of the current Rangers squad would get in our team. They’ve won one title in 13 years so if our players are bang average what does that say about your own players? People in glass houses and all that.
William Masson, Aberdeen, said: “It hasn’t taken Luke McCowan to learn the Old Firm handbook, probably easier with the experience of all the trophies he won at Dundee. After seven games Aberdeen ARE title contenders. It’s unlikely we have the quality or depth to sustain this over the season but if we can’t enjoy the moment when things are going well what’s the point of playing the game.”
The great debate surrounding Arne Engels’ form and ability has been the source of differing takes in recent days. And one blue-nosed Hotliner has been the architect of the growing anger. Michael Emonds, Northampton, said: “Rangers get done against Lyon, are duff against St Johnstone, and right on cue Chris Lowe appears with the smoke and mirrors to slag off a young Celtic player. When Celtic got horsed 6-1 against Barcelona he said, ‘Virgil van Dijk is a £10M myth’ wrong big time. More recently he said, ‘if Matt O’Riley is worth £25m, then Cyriel Dessers is worth £100m’, it’s time he got a new script writer because his patter is the same old.”
Stephen Mulhern. Dumbarton, said: “It seems to me Arne Engels will have to score a wonder strike from the halfway to stop the criticism of his performances by some critics on the Hotline. May I remind them he’s only just starting out his career in a different country and I also remember a certain Henrik Larson playing a misplaced pass to Chic Charnley who scored and similar criticism was aimed at the great man who went on to be a Celtic legend on his debut.
These parts don’t often have callers singing from the same hymn sheet, but there was a shared chorus booming out for Hearts and their supremo Andrew McKinlay. The Jambos chief reckons splitting the big two can happen, however, the natives are just keen to avoid another trip to the Championship. Davy Cook, Edinburgh, said: “We have heard it all before Mr McKinlay about splitting the Old Firm, think we should concentrate on getting into the top six this season and appoint a manager ASAP before you even start dreaming.”
John J Scott, Port Glasgow, agreed, adding: “I note Hearts CEO Andrew McKinley has said the new investment in the club should help narrow the gap between them vs Celtic and Rangers. Surely just now they should be worried about narrowing the gap between them and St Johnstone?”
Neil Renton, Leith, said: “I like a wind up so I tip my hat to others who do the same. And just now I’m doffing my cap in the direction of Tynecastle. Hearts CEO Andrew McKinley must be at it if he thinks a piece of software can turn Hearts into title contenders. After their worst start to a season ever the only league the Jambos will be contesting is the Championship next campaign.”
Finally, referees are never far from our callers’ hearts and even the international break isn’t quelling the dismay against those in black. Rab Hunter, Dumfries, said: “What is going on with the standard of refereeing in Scotland? Inept displays have already played a major part in the sacking of two good managers and now we have one of the, normally, most pedantic officials permitting a goal to be scored from a moving ball at a free kick, despite him clearly watching the offence but refusing to take the required action, rather compounding his failing by booking and subsequently sending a player off, all due to his ineptitude (at best)! sad and very worrying.”