Hotline regulars reckon the clock is ticking on Steve Clarke’s Scotland reign.
And for one caller the only solution is to declare Fergie Time with the national team!
Clarke is under fire again after Sunday’s Greek gubbing and for Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, interim Ibrox caretaker Barry Ferguson is the man the SFA should turn to in their hour of need.
He said: “Steve Clarke has been sailing against the wind for a number of years. His many up and down performances mean his time is nearly up. If Barry Ferguson doesn’t get the Rangers job he’d be the perfect fit for Scotland especially with his attacking mindset.”
Hugh O’Neill agreed that a change is needed in the Hampden hot seat: “Greek wonderkid Konstantinos Karetsas was given the freedom of Mount Florida on the right wing by Clarke’s clueless tactics. He had Andy Robertson on toast with Kieran Tierney warming the bench for the second game in a row.
“Greece could have scored five in the first half, leaving me with flashbacks from the Germany game at the Euros. Clarke should have gone after our abysmal showing in the summer. Grant Hanley and Robertson have reached their sell-by date and even John McGinn can’t go on forever.”
John Scott, Grassmoor added: “Kris Boyd’s passionate defence of Steve Clarke and his players was commendable. However, he ultimately lost his argument by claiming the Tartan Army have been spoiled over the last few years.
“That’s a contradiction surely and acknowledges that he, as well as the supporters, share the same view – that this talented group of players underperformed well below their combined abilities. If you have travelled for hours from all parts of the UK to support Scotland on a Sunday evening, I think you earn the right to voice your frustration Mr Boyd.”
The international break is almost over – meaning a return to club hostilities two weeks on from Rangers’ Old Firm victory. Not that the bickering ever stopped right enough…
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, said: “Some good fixtures in the SPFL this weekend, it’s a pity that all of Celtic’s games are now dead rubbers. It’s a great excuse though for the Celtic callers on here, telling everyone on the Hotline how they will destroy teams and after it goes wrong simply write it off as a dead rubber. Perhaps Messers Ashley and Hay should remove themselves from the Hotline until meaningful games are scheduled.”
James Logan, Glasgow, emailed in: “I see callers Mr Flett and Mr Lowe are continuing the series of bizarre statements by Rangers fans. Raskin is worth £30million, they say. The Premiership is a pub league, Callum McGregor is rubbish, Celtic are bang average, the team with the highest coefficient should enter the Champions League, blah, blah, blah…
“The reason is that they’ve all turned green. Green with envy that is, is because Rangers have only won three out of the last 42 trophies in Scotland while Celtic are mopping them up season after season.”
Sean Beech, Hampshire, added: “Any truth to the rumour that the Ibrox hierarchy are giving away their trophy brasso so their fans can polish their necks? They constantly win nothing other than the odd meaningless fixture yet celebrate this mediocrity like they have won the Champions League. Oh wait, we all know what happened the last time they got to play with the big boys, don’t we?”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, called to discuss claims that Rangers should be holding out for a £20million bid for Nico Raskin.
He said: “The reason Celtic have embarrassed Chris Lowe on so many occasions by picking up £20million-plus for players he said would go for peanuts is because they all starred in the Champions League and picked up trebles and multiple silverware. Something Raskin and Rangers haven’t done and never will. They won’t get half that.”