Celtic’s Italian Job was hailed as magnifico as Hoops fans flooded the Hotline after their battling Bergamo draw in the Champions League.
One caller even described the awesome Atalanta stalemate as the club’s best result against Italian opposition since the 1967 European Cup win over the mighty Inter Milan in Lisbon.
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “Celtic and Brendan Rodgers not only got their much needed credibility back on the European scene but they also gave a much-needed shot in the arm to the Scottish league who the English media refer to as a Mickey Mouse league. Europa League winners Atalanta also beat Liverpool 3-0 on the way to the final and Celtic’s result must go down as our finest performance against an Italian side since 1967 in Lisbon.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “At last Celtic put in a great battling performance away from home against a top quality side playing the way they should away from home and not open like they did in Dortmund. Finally the lesson has been learned and what a defensive display it was with everyone as they needed to be on top form.
“Now Celtic are in with a real fighting chance of reaching the knockout stages and earning even more millions. No doubt the Rangers fans will be gutted they don’t have another chance to mock us.”
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, said: “What a great effort by Celtic. Every player played brilliant. And you get a so-called Celtic fan coming on the Hotline saying Callum McGregor is past it. Go and watch another team, mate!”
Hugh McAnna, Fauldhouse, said: “Will Hugh Keevins offer an apology or at least an acknowledgment of his completely over the top preview to Celtic’s game against Atalanta? He feared they would concede 10 so it’s time for some humble pie for the voice of experience.”
One man willing to eat some humble pie was David Bryce, Troon, who said: “I labelled Auston Trusty a poor player the other day, how wrong I was. He was absolutely exceptional along with Liam Scales, Alex Valle and Nicolas Kuhn against one of the best attacking sides in Europe. Well done to Brendan Rodgers and the Bhoys. This is Celtic’s best away result in many a year, given the calibre of opposition.”
However, Kilmarnock fan Jim McClean, Isle of Bute, wasn’t so complimentary about one of his players and said: “I have never heard so much rubbish as Robert Livingston, Palm Beach, touting Kyle Vassell for Rangers. I would drive him to Ibrox myself. They are welcome to him – for nothing! He disappears after 30 minutes in every game he plays for us. If Robert things he is a No. 9 it’s no surprise he’s a Rangers fan. He’s hopeless!”
Philippe Clement continues to come under fire but Donald Dundas, Uddingston, said: “If someone gave you a job to manage any company and then said ‘sorry, there’s no money – operate with the staff you have (good or bad)’ then what chance would you have? And then to have your personality constantly ridiculed because of these restraints.
“The man is working hard to overturn a teams endeavours with his hands tied. Let’s just show a little patience and disregard the digs from the usual suspects who can’t help themselves. We enjoy the chase has flipped as we are now chasing but it’s peaks and troughs. Loyalty is what we need. Let’s see it lads.”
Jimmy Mac, Glasgow, said: “I am sick of reading and hearing the rubbish Philippe Clement is spouting. He said he’s 200 per cent sure Rangers are on the right track well I’m 200 per cent sure the man is hopeless as a manager. He talks about cutting wages and bringing in young players for now and the future.
“Young players are not and never will be the now for Rangers Football Club. We need quality players – not raw individuals. And we need these quality players in yesterday. All the extreme mismanagement at Rangers is down to a poor manager who is out of his depth as a football manager and a boardroom full of directors who are no fit for purpose.
“It’s winning domestic league titles that brings in millions of pounds from the Champions League – not the Europa League. But none of the above at Rangers are aware of the facts that season after season the league titles are personally gift wrapped to Celtic without challenges. Vote Dave King back now!”