What does Rangers’ transfer window business tell us with just one loan in?
SCOTT: It tells us what we all know, there is no money available. They have already spent some of the summer kitty and unless there is new investment then Nils Koppen will continue to have his hands tied behind his back.
ANDY: It’s a simple answer – they don’t have cash to waste. Patrick Stewart has made clear the club will now only do deals that are in the long-term interest of the club. The days of paying sub-standard signings like Rabbi Matondo and Kieran Dowell thousands upon thousands are over.
FRASER: That this season has been one of transition. To clear out the high earners who produce little of value on the park and reduce the average age of the squad. The Scottish Cup and deep run in the Europa League should still be in their targets though.
Have Celtic got lucky after avoiding a fan ban in Munich and will the message have got through?
SCOTT BURNS: With so many Celtic fans having spent money on travel to Munich it would have been wrong to ban them now. They know they are now in last chance saloon and action will be taken next time.
ANDY NEWPORT: Very. It looks like they are on a last warning now from UEFA and any repeat could see fans hit with a ban. That’s not fair on the thousands of punters who behave themselves while watching their team.
FRASER WILSON: Massively. It’s a tiny minority that had put the majority of decent fans at risk with their nonsensical repeat offending. But it appeared Villa was the final straw. It’s just delaying the inevitable though as there’s no getting through to the pyro morons that think they can do what they want.
The pressure is on Aberdeen against Dunfermline – are the Dons in danger or where else is a cup shock lurking?
SCOTT: Dunfermline will travel north fancying their chances but I expect Aberdeen to progress. I don’t really see any shocks in this round. Airdrie might have an outside chance against Dundee but even then I think they will progress.
ANDY: Jimmy Thelin’s men are toiling but they’re facing a Pars team who have managed just four wins in the last 10 so they should be looking at this clash as a chance to boost confidence. I’d be more worried about Dundee hosting Airdrie after their back-to-back 6-0 spankings.
FRASER: The pressure on the Dons is at boiling point. The league form is beyond horrendous and possibly as bad as it’s ever been. Michael Tidser has got a reaction since going in at Pars so this could be interesting. It’s got to turn for Jimmy Thelin at some point though, right? Maybe this weekend can be that spark.
Dundee United and St Mirren have ramped up the pressure on VAR – how can it be improved?
SCOTT: It can be improved massively. I would halt it just now until then. It is not giving value for money and is becoming a major bugbear in our game.
ANDY: There is nothing wrong with the tech, it’s the people working the remote controls who need upgraded. I’d back Stephen Robinson’s calls for full-time officials.
FRASER: I’ve always said it’s the rules that are the biggest problem – be it handball or offside. Too many decisions are open to interpretation. So the rules need streamlined too. But the big clangers need to be reduced and that comes down to the competence of the people in charge.