International week is often rued by those who live and breathe club football.
But the call-in without comparison doesn’t suffer from such an affliction as there are no such things as off days on the Hotline. No, simmering anger and accusations don’t go on holiday, they need to be addressed on a daily basis. And it’s all about the Rangers in the eyes of both sides of the Glasgow divide.
And Todd Cantwell‘s claim that he isn’t finished with Rangers didn’t go down well. Dr Robert Pender, said: “Just what planet does Cantwell live on? Rangers would not want him back. He downed tools and disrespected the club. This player loves himself which is a bonus to him as know on else does.”
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “I read Cantwell say he’d not rule out going back to Rangers which suggests to me that he has inside information that Clement is on his way out. However there’s more chance of them snapping up Lennon Miller in January. He was a disruptive influence in the dressing room and the starting point in Clement’s run of bad results.”
And Nils Koppen – promoted to technical director – saw his claim that more ex-Rangers men would be a hindrance rather than a help. Kevin Wark emailed: “Regular Robert Livingstone says, ‘the fans know that former Gers men should have been brought in with their knowledge of the club and what’s needed for success’. That one sentence, and the fact it is being implemented, shows why the Rangers are a shambles. And yet they still can’t see it.”
A Scottish football joke book stocking filler arrived early. Brian McDermott, Maryhill, said: “Any truth that Glasgow Rangers’ Mr Jack of all trades Nils Koppens name translates into No Cups?”
And one fan remains committed to Philippe Clement – despite Belgium watching on. Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: “Jimmy Mac’s bitter points show up here with a regular monotony. Clement is going nowhere and Rangers are rebuilding, in a financially sustainable way. Unlike your narrow minded rinse and repeat solution.”
John Davidson, Kirkintilloch, said: “It’s now getting a bit worrying at the big hoose on Edmiston Drive, Rangers seem to be cost cutting and papering over the cracks, the AGM is going to be interesting.”
Yes, the Hotline is about football but it is also about turf wars, festering recriminations which can spill out at any time. George Wilson, West Sussex, said: “Comedy stuff from Gordon Ashley still pretending Aberdeen are his main worries and he’s not bothered about Rangers. He’s obsessed with Rangers and it’s only a matter of time before he’s on talking about us again.”
John Scott, Grassmoor, said: “What age is Alan Fleet? Twelve? I’ve seen every Scotland squad since 1972, ironically when I was the same age. The present Scotland squad is by far the most technically gifted since the days of Law, Dalglish and Jordan. I may not be a fan of Steve Clarke’s dour approach to the game but unlike Alan, other England fans I’ve spoken to agree we now have a team worth watching rather than the dross we’ve suffered for decades.”
Damian Rooney, Busby, said: “I hate to admit it, but I was wrong about Steve Clarke. I thought he should have been bulleted after that pathetic showing at the Euros but he’s won me over again. He’s got this Scotland team playing great football and it’s some watch.”