It’s three points on the board for Rangers but it was hardly a Super Sunday as far as the grumpy bears on the Hotline were concerned.
Jason Holt’s own goal was as good as it got in a drab game in Perth that saw Philippe Clement’s team get back to winning ways in the league. But in contrast with Celtic‘s 5-0 rout in Dingwall, and their own 4-1 win over Nice, it was hardly inspiring. Dr Robert S Pender said: “So boring to watch. Lack of flair up front. How is it St Johnstone can unearth some exciting players with a very low budget and less wages?”
Alan Flett said: “An impressive win in Europe followed by yet another poor domestic showing, once again begs the question: why are Rangers so good in Europe but so poor in the SPFL? Could it be that the players just can’t get motivated to face the likes of Celtic and Aberdeen but, are right up for the big games?”
Joe Graham, Garrowhill, told us: “European Rangers struggle again domestically. A hard-fought three points in Perth against St Johnstone isn’t what the fans are looking for. The magic wand Philippe Clement has in Europe needs to be waved in the SPFL if there’s any chance to catch up on Celtic and Aberdeen. Albeit it we didn’t lose any ground, but the performance is not to our liking. To win the Europa League would be magic, but ask any true blue supporter what they would rather have, and that is to finish above Gordon Ashley’s Celtic.
As far as that win in Nice goes, Graham Roberts, Edinburgh, thinks he’s spotted the green-eyed monster skulking around. He emailed: “The jealousy from the green side of Glasgow is unbelievable. They have a pop at Rangers beating a poor Nice team yet when they thump an even poorer team like Slovan Bratislava suddenly they become favourites for the CL. When did Celtic last win away from home meaningful match in Europe. I’m sure it was before decimalisation.
Paul McCardle, Gourock, begs to differ though. He said: “The Rangers. 3rd in the SPFL, about 1 derby win in THREE YEARS against Celtic. Hardly won a trophy in quarter of a century. Watched Celtic take ALL Your domestic records yet one decent result against a poor Nice, suddenly they are the elite team in Scotland forgetting they are the worst team in Champions League history. You couldn’t take a blow torch to their necks.”
There was more more where that came from. Steve McSherry, Uddingston, said: “After Celtic destroying Ross County and St Johnstone outplaying Rangers, this season is turning out to be nothing more than a training session for the champions. I still have hope that Aberdeen can keep on our tails to ensure we don’t ease up.
And David Bryce, Troon, loved what he saw from the Hoops. He emailed: “Celtic were terrific in the first half against Ross county. Some of the goals were superb. At the forefront was Luke McCowan who is a real quality player and a steal at £1m! Celtic are a better side when bernardo, Valle and McCowan are in the side and Brendan should stick with the same starting 11 at Pittodrie.”
Scott Mcadam, Glasgow, took issue with Chris Lowe. He added: “I see we have another clown going on about coefficient . Also and yes nice are 5th in France but we’re are they in the europa league pile .right next to Steaua and Malmo so that would you in with the clown from Yoker who would rather look at Celtic than concentrate on their own team.”
Gem Mitchell emailed: “It’s all very well amassing coefficient points in the lesser competitions such as the Europa League, so try doing it in the Champions League against the real quality sides who are usually very successful in their domestic football. Of course, that’s not for everyone.”
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