Under-fire Philippe Clement was tasked with winning three games on the bounce in the wake of defeat to Kilmarnock.
FCSB and St Mirren have been ticked off the checklist with Aberdeen next on the agenda – but with 2-1 victory over the Buddies at Ibrox hasn’t left everyone impressed. Jamie Thompson, Yoker was reaching for the panic button: “This Rangers team is embarrassing, lacks quality and lacks leadership. Clement is not the right manager and there are too many foreign players that are just not good enough. Robin Propper and Jack Butland really suspect and both have cost really stupid goals This season will be a total nightmare.”
Celtic moved back to the top of the Scottish Premiership after a 3-0 win over Motherwell. Kenny Wilson, Moffat urged Brendan Rodgers’ men to keep the pressure on – while giving credit to Clement for getting the Light Blues back on track: “After a shaky start from Celtic and lucky not to be behind once they scored it was another dominant display and should’ve won by a bigger margin. Yet another clean sheet and I thought Luke McCowan was excellent in the midfield and scored a great goal. With Rangers proving they’ve turned the corner with a great win against St Mirren we must keep our foot on the gas.”
David Bryce, Troon still had some concerns about the Hoops: “Celtic secured a good result at Fir Park. They played ok and got the job done. Trusty and McCowan were very good. My only slight would be that Hatate is now our worst player. His ball retention and passing is awful! I would sell him to the first buyer! Also Luis Palma is so frustrating and his finishing is woeful.”
And despite wins for both Glasgow giants, the sparring on the Hotline between the rivals hasn’t stopped. Al Beattie, Bahrain, dusted off the European history books stating: “I had to laugh at the Rangers fans criticising Celtic for parking the bus against Atalanta. They clearly have short memories or have conveniently forgotten a match against Barcelona’s Messi in 2007 who accused them of playing anti-football. To quote him: ‘It’s incredible, Rangers didn’t want to play football.’ People in glass houses.”
Jim McShane, New Hampshire, USA was more focussed on uniting Scottish football: “Our national team just tied with Portugal, Celtic, Rangers and Hearts all won in Europe. There is nothing wrong with Scottish football.
“But not if you listen to those down south who would like nothing better than to see Scottish football in disarray. I’m sure if Celtic and Rangers get something from Villa and Spurs we’ll hear a different tune.”
John Caw, Glasgow, took a different tacts with the traditional blame game on the Hotline: “Referees have got to get a grip before they ruin a man’s game. It’s not tiddlywinks they’re playing. Yellow cards for next to nothing tackles. John Greig, the iron man from Ibrox, wouldn’t last long the way referees carry on. SFA should lay down rules to let the game flow without all this nonsense.”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, Fife, also paid tribute to Celtic great Tommy Callaghan: “Another Celtic legend Tommy Callaghan heading upstairs to join all the other Celtic Park greats. Big Jock will welcome him with open arms for a third time. My lasting memory was a game at Central Park home of Lochore Welfare playing alongside his brother Willie, another great player. In the crowd that night was Jock Stein to watch the brothers. He headed to East End Park Dunfermline soon afterwards His picture still adorns the wall at Central Park.”
Finally, some genuine innovation landed on the Hotline. Joey Vimsante, North Wales, said: “There should be Wales v Scotland Super Cups in football between club sides. For example the Scottish champions could play the highest placed English League Welsh side. And Scottish champions v Welsh champions at women’s football, and youth football. And the Welsh League men’s champions vs the Scottish second tier champions. Scotland and Wales should work together.”