It’s now officially the countdown to Hampden with all midweek distractions put to the side with full focus on Sunday.
Rangers and Celtic were both involved in European action with the Hoops picking up a Champions League stalemate at Dinamo Zagreg on Tuesday before Philippe Clement’s men produced yet another big Europa League performance as they drew 1-1 with Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou. The Ibrox men went into the clash with four wins on the bounce and it was a feeling of disappointment at full-time that they didn’t secure all three points and extend that run to five.
Quite the night and day feeling from just a matter of weeks ago at Ibrox with the doom and gloom also lifting on the Hotline. So much so, confidence is high in Govan with one punter certain that the Premier Sports Cup will be heading back to Ibrox once again. Joe Graham, Garrowhill: “A wonderful performance by Rangers tonight in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham. They deserved to get more than a share of the points. It was like the old European nights under the Ibrox lights. Thursday’s performance established Rangers are truly on the way up with more to come. If Brendan Rodgers watched the game, he must be worried about the Cup Final coming up on Sunday . The season’s first silverware is definitely heading to the Ibrox trophy room.”
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh: “Who would have guessed that Rangers would be two points ahead of Celtic in their respective European groups with he calibre of teams Celtic have faced compared to Rangers?, no disrespect to the teams Celtic have played.
“Rangers played Spurs off the park with one of their players valued over the price of the current Rangers team value. Celtic have played three teams in their group which doesn’t even reach the value of the Rangers squad and five added together that don’t reach the value of the Spurs squad.
“Once again Rangers lead the Scottish coefficient and I think that all countries FA’s should act on coefficient for their European representatives to determine the competition they go into as there’s no point in awarding non tiers a major Champions League payday because all they seem to care about is the league and that payday. It doesn’t help that far more of the bigger nations are guaranteed Champions League spots which seems against sporting integrity.”
Alan Flett emailed: “This week’s European results highlight the difference in mentality between Rangers and Celtic. While we are disappointed with a draw v Spurs, Celtic are ecstatic with their draw with a diddy team from Croatia.”
George Wilson, West Sussex: “A brilliant performance by Rangers in this Battle of Britain clash where Spurs were outplayed and outfought at times and very fortunate to get a draw. At least we won’t have to put up with the negative comments from the Celtic camp today as according to Gordon Ashley it was a nothing game with nobody watching so none of them will have seen how good Rangers were. After some disappointing performances this season it’s finally clear that even if we don’t win on Sunday, Rangers now definitely have hope for the future.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat: “So Rangers have added to their impressive silverware with the ‘ We were better than Spurs trophy ‘ but all jokes aside it’s a great result for them and they certainly can perform in Europe ! Not the greatest Spurs team but still full of multi million pound players. I think Sunday is going to be a cracking game.”
Hamza Igamane has hit a golden run of form for Rangers after a settling in period following his summer switch to Ibrox. He superbly finished from James Tavernier’s cross in the first half to make it five goals in his last five games. That had one punter asking what value is on his head if Celtic winger Nicolas Kuhn is getting mentions in the £30million bracket. He then made a quip about Nicolas Raskin being worth DOUBLE that – if he was to go by the ‘hooped calculator’
Chris Lowe, Yoker: “If Khun is valued at £30million for scoring a miss hit cross vs Leipzig and goals against a Conference League cannon fodder side, then what price is on Igamane who’s battering them in against top English and French teams? That’s before we get to Nicolas Raskin who must be in the £60m rated category using the hooped calculator. Ps has anyone seen the £20m-rated Luis Palma from last season?
Postecoglou has been feeling the heat from the Spurs support of late. He’s got the backing of the club hierarchy but will need to start putting results and performances together to bring that feel good factor back to the stands. One Hotline caller compounded his misery by insisting the draw with Rangers MUST be the worst result of his Spurs reign to date and failure to win at the Light Blues has to mean it is time up in North London.
Steve McSherry, Uddingston: “After what must be the worst result yet for Spurs, I can’t see Ange Postecoglou surviving this latest embarrassment. I know he had several top players out but if he cannot beat that Rangers side then he has to go.”