The Tartan Army love a journey – and they were in full flow on the Hotline after Thursday’s Greek Odyssey.
A 1-0 win in Athens thanks to Scott McTominay’s first half penalty strengthened Scotland’s grip on the Nations League play-off. And callers were hoping the footballing Gods remain with Steve Clarke’s side for Sunday’s second leg at Hampden.
Neil Renton, Leith, wasn’t getting carried away…. much! He said: “Scotland beating Greece thanks to a penalty as soft as a piece of Feta cheese? I’ll take that! To steal the lyrics from the other Grease: ‘you’re the one that I want, you are the one I want! Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey!’”
Davie Wilson, Glasgow, said: “A marvellous result against a Greece side that had only lost twice at home in four years. That’s one goal conceded in the last four games against Poland, Croatia, Portugal and now Greece which is superb. Special mention to Grant Hanley who has been rock solid during the Nations League and constantly proves the doubters wrong.”
And Kevin McCoy, Simshill, added: “I didn’t know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised at the professionalism in the way Scotland played.
“Everyone stuck to their task and took the chance when it came. Backs to the wall in the second half but I can’t remember anything troubling Craig Gordon. It reminded me of the Craig Brown and Andy Roxburgh days when we set out a solid stall and worked from there.”
On to domestic matters and John Barnes set the cat among the pigeons when he said Brendan Rodgers was having it easy at Celtic and that Hoops fans have unrealistic expectations in the Champions League. John Scott, Grassmoor, said: “There’s nothing Barnes said that you can actually disagree with. Our league is a dawdle for Brendan Rodgers. They are miles ahead of the rest and Rangers acknowledged that fact by celebrating their win at Celtic like a cup final victory.
“As for Europe, well its not rocket science is it? Without the ability to bring in players in the £20m-£50m bracket Celtic will struggle to compete with the continent’s biggest clubs. However give me a day of the Old Firm and Dundee derbies like we had on Sunday. That’s what makes our league damned more exciting than many down here give it credit for.”
Caller Paul Price had suggested Celtic try to lure Kyogo back from Rennes in a swap deal for Adam Idah.
But Alan Flett emailed: “Swap Idah for Kyogo? What a laugh! Why would Rennes want to replace one donkey with another? Kyogo was desperate to get out of Celtic so why would he want to go back? Mind you, I don’t suppose any other clubs will want him now that he’s been found out. His only option may be to join Jota and Kieran Tierney in the Glasgow doss house for unwanted footballers.”
Sticking with the Old Firm tit for tat, Paul McArdle, Gourock, said: “Rangers players will have one losers’ medal and one runners-up medal and their fans will be celebrating wining zero trophies and failing to even reach the Scottish Cup quarter finals. Their manager got sacked but you would think it’s them on cusp of a sixth treble in nine years and not Celtic who this season took their so-called record of world’s most successful club. The only fans laughing in the summer will be Celtic fans.”
And Celtic fan Bud Hay, Dumfries, added: “To the Rangers fans going on about three goals against the champions, maybe if your team scored three against St Mirren, St Johnstone and Queen’s Park you might still be in a title race and the Scottish Cup. Learn to keep quiet and concentrate on playing.”
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