It was a Super Sunday for Celtic who reckon normal service has been resumed within days of their shocker at Ibrox.
Any hopes of a Rangers revival after thumping Brendan Rodgers’ team to move within 11 points of them were dashed at the first hurdle, the Ibrox side collapsing into a heap with a 3-3 draw against Hibs before the Hoops thrashed St Mirren to stretch the gap back to 13. And the Hotline has plenty to say. Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, said: “So normal service is resumed for Scotland’s finest, following a freak defeat to Clement’s clowns last week. Must be like losing a fiver and finding a pound!”
Robert Mcewan, Mt. Vernon, said: “So much for Clem’s wonder boys. The more things change the more they stay the same, wee blip over.” And Glen Mitchell said: “After Celtic’s shockingly unbelievable loss, it seems to me that it’s markedly better to have a little slump when you are 14 points ahead, rather than when you are nine or 11 points behind. After all the revival drivel heard after last week’s astonishing loss for Celtic, the normal order has been restored for the world’s most successful club.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Normal service resumed for the champions with a stroll against St Mirren, although they will certainly play better I’m sure this season. Just in case anyone thought there was an earthquake about 2.00pm on Sunday, don’t worry, it was just all the Rangers fans coming back down to earth with a bang.”
Nicolas Kuhn was the hero with two goals moving him to 16 for the season and he’s got some fans thinking a Treble is well and truly on. Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: “Celtic have a great after-Kuhn while Rangers pay the penalty at Hibs and drop more vital points and leaving Brenden Rodgers storm troopers looking forward to picking up another record in Trebles. It will be nine if they get the Treble this season and make more history in world football.”
It wasn’t all rosy in the Celtic garden though. Brendan Rodgers used a portion of his post-match media duties to call out fans – a chant about Kieran Tierney, who looks likely to return from Arsenal, getting a raging response from the manager. But Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, said: “So after a terrible performance against Rangers and a jittery start against St Mirren nervous fans get it in the neck from the manager..? Very poor, fans had every right to be edgy after Thursday, they wouldn’t be human if they were not given we were so easily beaten.. As for disrespecting Taylor by singing about Tierney, there’s room for both. He’s got that wrong on both counts…”
Let’s get some reaction from Rangers then, shall we? Hamza Igamane’s hat-trick saw them lead 2-0 and then 3-2 against Hibs but they couldn’t see it out and Frank Jackson said: “Let’s face it, the league is over. Celtic do not have anything to do other than match the Gormless Govaners. Get shot of this haddie NOW.”
Gordon Hendry, Ochiltree, said: “Rangers must bring in two spare centre backs to cover for the injuries in that area. Robin Propper is a liability despite the Celtic result and Clement cannot rely on young Leon King – who hasn’t played for months – to dig him out of a hole as the young man was clearly unable to defend for the third Hibs goal in the absence of Sterling, who himself is only a stand-in.”
And Sean McGarvey, Cumbernauld, wasn’t happy with Philippe Clement’s latest moan as he said: “Surely even the Rangers fans are getting tired of this big dafty and his excuses?! He never credits the other team and blames the ref, he’s a total excuse merchant.”
Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football.