One hour manning the Hotline after an Old Firm is enough to convince even the most disbelieving that this fixture never – ever – lacks meaning.
Rangers may still be a whopping 13 points off Celtic but after delivering back-to-back derby dunts to their rivals the Bears are believing again under Barry Ferguson. The Bhoys though? Even the sight of another Treble on the horizon isn’t enough to shield Brendan Rodgers from a Hotline blast.
Jamie Thompson, Yoker, said: “I get the feeling that Brendan Rodgers won’t be Celtic manager this time next year. He had it easy with no competition from a poor Rangers team and poor management from Clement. Ferguson and his team have made a world of difference, the players believe in themselves and in the whole team.”
Richard Wood emailed from Australia to say: “G’day from sunny Brisbane, bright blue skies, high of 32°. Last weekend we had Tropical Cyclone Alfred here and yesterday we saw Storm Hamza descend on the east end of Glasgow in the 88th minute. There’s a new Sheriff in town already ruffling a few feathers at home and abroad.”
George Wilson, West Sussex, said; “Caller Scott McAdam said a beating by the champions on Sunday would show just how poor Rangers really are. Poor enough to beat Celtic in the last two games it would seem. We were told it was a blip at Ibrox and no doubt this was another blip. Rangers have been inconsistent but have deservedly beaten the great Champions League powerhouse Celtic in the last two fixtures and were also robbed in the cup final.”
William McFarlane emailed: “We keep hearing that missing Callum McGregor was the difference between the teams. Just a wee reminder that he played in the last game and Celtic did worse! Just a pity he wasn’t playing, it might have been five.”
And Ian Ferguson, Lochgilphead, said: “A game when McGregor became a better player through his absence. To the extent that he might have deserved a place on the Rangers bench.”
Over to the hurting Hoops now. And Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Celtic got what they deserved. A team that for weeks now has been playing like they know the league is over and they just need to turn up to win games. I jokingly said the game was just a friendly given the lead but that’s exactly what Celtic seemed to be treating it like. That’s twice we have lost to this very average Rangers side and a lot of players need to take a good look in the mirror.”
Along similar lines, Paul McCormack, Coatbridge, blasted: “Yet again Celtic fail to get to grips with Rangers flooding the midfield and we make mistake after mistake. Clement’s team did the same. What are we not learning? That’s nine goals against us so far this season, with another game to come. They bring on a forward who scores the winner. We bring on a very expensive forward who contributed nothing. Adam Idah’s looking more and more like a very expensive flop.”
Anthony Curran went to the extreme when he emailed: “The team that won on Sunday played attacking football with long punts up front. The team that lost preferred to play defensive ping pong with square and back passes. Rodgers needs to go. His system bores me to death.”
Meanwhile, Joe MacEachen, Coatbridge , said: “When will Rodgers and the Celtic board waken up and realise that Celtic need a Scott Brown-style midfielder? It’s been obvious for the last three seasons. We have good footballers but we are easily bullied in the midfield as has been proven in the last two Rangers games. Rodgers also needs to look at changing his tactics against Rangers as it’s clear they have Celtic well sussed. Has Kuhn, other than against Bayern, downed tools? Johnston needs rested. And as for Idah, how many chances is he going to be given as far too often he comes on and runs around to zero effect.”
Andrew Welsh, Glasgow, took a more relaxed view, saying: “Did I miss something at Paradise on Sunday? Did Rangers win a cup? The celebrations would lead you to think they did. Enjoy the headlines for a few days because in a few months it will be Celtic with yet another treble. Bring on next season and hopefully a real chase.”
And Stephen McDonald emailed: “Rangers fans over-celebrating is embarrassing. Do they realise they are 13 points behind and will have no trophies again while Celtic can possibly get another Treble. How many times have they been back this season, do they ever learn?”