Philippe Clement remains the firm focus of attention as the savage fall-out from Rangers’ loss to Queen’s Park extends.
The Belgian is under severe fire after his team’s shock defeat by the Championship outfit in the Scottish Cup. Clement’s position is under huge scrutiny and many Hotline correspondents believe that time is already up for the manager.
Jamie Thompson, Yoker, said: “Clement has to go ASAP. No way should the Ibrox board allow him to stay or allow him to spend any money rebuilding this shameful Rangers team. We thought last season league bottlers couldn’t get worse. Well they have. There has to be a clearout. Get rid of these shameful Rangers players who should not be wearing the shirt.”
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, said: “So Phil the lip is still hurting after last year’s cup final. Get a grip. Your team lost it because they weren’t good enough, end of story. There is more bad news on the horizon. If he fails to win a trophy this season he will be gone. It’s not rocket science. His board didn’t back him in January. The hint was there.”
Gordon Black, Bonnybridge, said: “Having produced some decent performances in recent weeks with a change of playing style, Clement’s team selection was a huge error of judgement. Irrespective of the opposition, in any cup tie Rangers should field their strongest possible team. And on Sunday Cyriel Dessers, Nicolas Raskin and John Souttar should all have started. Get the job done and then give the likes of Bailey Rice and Rafael Fernandes some game time. For the club’s domestic season to be over before St.Valentine’s Day is totally unacceptable.”
William Hutchison, Aberdeen, said: “Rangers in the last 16 Europa League, beat Celtic in the last Old Firm and got the first away win in a while vs Dundee United and fans are saying this is the best team, every player is outstanding and finally Clement is worthy. Then get knocked out of the Scottish Cup and suddenly no player is fit to wear the jersey, get rid of them Clement saying the team is still rebuilding. Wow what a difference just one game makes.”
Drew Ferguson, Oban, said: “It is completely unacceptable that Rangers are 13 points behind Celtic and have now been beaten by Queen’s Park. But WHO replaces Clement to make this team title contenders and where does the money come from?”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, came from a different angle and said: “What a laugh it has been reading Rangers fans slag off Celtic for qualifying for the next stage of the Champions League by taking points off dross like the teams fourth in the Bundesliga and third in Serie A, while they are being utterly humiliated by Queen’s Park at Ibrox and playing in a Mickey Mouse European tournament.”
Celtic face Bayern Munich on Wednesday night and Stephen Mulhearn, Dumbarton, said: “Celtic supporters will have an extra spring in their step facing the daunting task of facing the German giants with the news that Daizen Maeda can play.
“He seems to have six toes on each foot instead of five and the hottest talent in Scottish football gives us every chance of securing a narrow victory to take to the second leg.”
Maeda’s release from UEFA suspension is a boost to Brendan Rodgers’ striking options but David Bryce, Troon, isn’t happy as he said: “As Celtic announce eye-watering financial results, it is no doubt a slap in the face to the supporters who plough millions into the club per year and the board can’t even replace our best striker. Peter Lawwell and Michael Nicholson are incompetent and have held us back from progressing in Europe for years now. Come the end of the season they should do the decent thing and resign.”
Celtic got Hibs at home in the Scottish Cup draw and Neil Renton, Leith, chirped: “The draw for the Scottish Cup quarter finals was a fix, how else can you explain that with Celtic and Hibs being drawn together? “They clearly wanted the best side in it to be given the glamour tie for telly. And the fact they’re away to Celtic makes it even better.”