There was a game on Sunday at Celtic Park – but it seems that nobody wants to talk about it on the Hotline.
‘Watergate’ remains at the top of the agenda after Vaclav Cerny broke his silence on his celebration – as the Rangers winger branded the fallout “absurd.”
That hasn’t pleased Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton – who still wants an apology from the Czech international: “I read Cerny say the incident was absurd but if had any sense of regret the simple thing would be apologise for his action and admit it was a foolish thing to do. In not doing so has highlighted his idiotic behaviour even more.”
Scott McAdam, Glasgow emailed: “Rangers are saying Celtic are making a big deal about the spray carry on, but what would happen if Maeda sprayed water over Rangers fans in the Govan stand?
“He would get lynched and that’s a fact. So the SFA should ban him, end of.”
Scott Gowers, Edinburgh wanted to draw a line under the row: “I think that Cerny’s watergate scandal has gone over the top.
“How many physical assaults have players been guilty of over the years without any police intervention? I fear police intervention could open up a can of worms and bringing complaints from past matches which will cost a lot of money to investigate but every complaint would need investigated.
“Yes the act if deliberate was very silly but nobody got hurt apart from Rangers hurting Celtic’s pride on the pitch. The governing of a football match lies with the footballing authorities as do the punishments.
“There can never be discriminatory rules applied because a match is deemed a powder keg clash.”
Stuart McLeod, Stepps focussed on the action on the pitch: “The bravado from a lot of Celtic fans seems to have dissipated somewhat from last week.
“We were told last week Rangers would be on a hammering when facing this all conquering Celtic team but now the game seems to be a meaningless dead rubber.
“This dreadful Rangers team have now put nine goals by this fantastic Celtic side in the last three games.”
Paul Price, Glasgow floated a transfer shake up: “I know the jury is still out with a lot of the Celtic support regarding Adam Idah. Me personally, I can’t get my head round whoever sanctioned such a hefty chunk of change on a guy I don’t rate!
“I would love Celtic to see if Rennes were up for a swap deal and bring Kyogo back.”
David Speirs, Coalhall said: “Gordon Ashley! When was there ever a dead rubber game in an Old Firm match.
“It was only a dead rubber excuse because Celtic got beat. if that’s what we can do to you with a broken team just wait till the takeover.”
Referee Steven McLean had a quiet afternoon in Glasgow’s east end – but not according to Alisdair Flower whoemailed: “What I can’t understand is why there’s been no mention of Maeda being offside in the build up to his goal which changed the momentum of the game.
“Is it just accepted that Celtic get dodgy decisions as they lost on this meaningless occasion?”
Robert Hoey, Kirkintilloch wasn’t having any excuses: “I heard Celtic punters complaining about the referee. Surprise, surprise.
“Looks like the anyone but us excuse book is getting dusted down for next season.”
And what would the derby day fallout be without a Hotline spat? Sean McGarvey, Cumbernauld said: “I hate to break it to Hotline regular George from West Sussex, but unless you suddenly get 19 points for a single victory….then Rangers ARE no longer a threat. They ARE an irrelevance and they DON’T matter anymore!”
But the man himself wasn’t shying away from the Hotline war of words. George Wilson, West Sussex said: “Andrew Mathieson said he is fed up with spats between Gordon Ashley and myself .
“Fair enough but Mr Ashley has been on this page 3 or 4 times a week for at least 5 years to my knowledge. Every single comment has been one thing or another as long as it’s anti Rangers.
“The poor man is obsessed with his hatred of all things Rangers. And despite him repeatedly telling us Rangers don’t matter any more he’s still on day after day talking about guess what.. yes Rangers.
“When he stops criticising Rangers I will stop criticising him.”