New Rangers chief executive Patrick Stewart doesn’t start until December 16 but he’s already getting plenty of advice from Gers fans.
The Ibrox side are 11 points behind Celtic in the title race and a red hot Hotline reckons the incoming CEO’s first job should be to hand boss Philippe Clement his p45.
George McLeish, via email, said: “They say Clement is favourite for the Belgian job. I will drive him to the airport myself. Rangers need a good clear out from top to bottom starting with the directors. Who decided to appoint Nils Koppen as technical director? He couldn’t direct traffic in Edminston Drive. It’s about time they got Rangers minded people into Ibrox and got rid of all the dross .”
Barriemore Barlow, Dunbartonshire, said: “Clement is lost. All we get is platitudinous drivel after each game he’s also suddenly saying his intention was to rotate James Tavernier. I doubt that it’s only when the criticism reached fever pitch that he declared this. I’m afraid he’s a phoney.”
Willie Mercer, Dumfries, said: “The team lacks cohesion, drive, style and leadership. All of which and the above selection failures are down to the manager. He said he is running out of credit with the fans, if he’s not already bankrupt.”
Alan Flett emailed: I’m not one for criticising my own club but Clement has to go. I don’t think the players are as bad as they appear to be, we just need a manager to get the best from them. Too often, clubs appoint the name rather than the manager but what we need right now, is a proper Rangers man in the dugout, someone who will kick backsides and won’t stand for second best – Barry Ferguson.”
John Bruce emailed: “In marketing, it’s said that every knock-back takes you one step closer to the sale. With Clement, it appears that every game takes him one step closer to the inevitable.”
But Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, said: “Clement should be left to do his work in the January window and given until the end of the season. Judge him then. Rangers fans need to forget about Celtic this season, League Cup Final aside.”
James Robertson, Alabama, said: “If Clement gets fired, who are you going to replace him with?
“Fans are always anxious to get rid of a ball coach, but you have to replace them. And sometimes the replacement is no improvement.”
Celtic fans are watching on and Paul McArdle, Gourock, said: “Philip Phlop is a clown. After every game he says if we played like we did in the second half we would have won, yet they continually play like that in the second half but can’t win games. Long may he reign.”
Peter Lyons, Blantyre, said: “I’m seriously concerned for Celtic. I’m starting to worry that there may not be four Glasgow Derbies in the league this season…”
The Hoops are gearing up for Club Brugge in the Champions League this week and Bud Hay, Dumfries, said: “Celtic could have the qualification from the group done and dusted before Christmas. I also think the champions will go through the Premiership undefeated. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t put Rangers together again.”
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “Even with Bruges winning 7-0 at the weekend Celtic will take massive confidence into the match after the magnificent victory against Leipzig. I’m predicting a similar scoreline.”
Meanwhile it’s grim over in Edinburgh and Neil Renton, Leith, said: “I’m old enough to remember the horror film The Fog. While it might have been scary it wasn’t as terrifying as the Hibs performance against Dundee after the game was delayed because of a dense mist. The most frightening thing is we’re heading towards the Championship and the only ones who can’t see it are the club themselves.”