Hotline callers remain divided on Rangers‘ chances of pipping Aberdeen to second place – but Philippe Clement has found an ally amid disastrous season.
The Belgian is in a fight to keep his job after falling 11 points behind league leaders Celtic and nine adrift of the Reds in the runner’s up spot. Large sections of the Ibrox support have already called for change in the dugout but Jamie Thompson, Yoker, argues that it is the Light Blues underperforming players who need to take a long. hard look at themselves. He said: “I am not surprised that these Rangers players are standing behind Clement. Most (of the) flack is amid at Clement but if these same Ranger players play same rubbish and lose on Thursday (to Nice) then supporters will turn on them. Standard of football at Ibrox is shocking worse I’ve seen in years.”
Ibrox attendances have continued to plummet in recent weeks, with boyhood Celtic fan and current Aston Villa skipper John McGinn poking fun at the club from Govan’s expense. It’s a point that Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, agrees with and reckons it is only a matter of time before Clement pays the price. He added: “John McGinn was correct in highlighting the empty seats at ibrox and it’s now no longer a case of we are the people rather where are the people. However I think after Rangers lose the league cup final, Patrick Stewart will immediately jettison Clement and bring in a Rangers man in (Derek) McInnes and in doing so try to win over the dwindling support.”
However, some Gers hotline callers still retain optimism that the team can recover and overturn a nine point deficit to finish above Aberdeen. George Wilson, West Sussex, wrote: “All we have heard for the last few weeks is the Celtic camp on here heralding the battle for honours between the big two in Scotland in Celtic and Aberdeen.
“This was a deliberate mocking of Rangers and it was obvious to anyone with a brain that Aberdeen don’t have the strength to maintain a winning run and it’s now 3 wins in 7 games and 5 points shipped in the last two. Rangers aren’t in a good place at the moment but they are in a cup final and will soon be back replacing Aberdeen in the big two again.
But one Celtic punter has labelled Rangers as ‘entitled’ in believing they can claim second spot. “The problem with Gers fans is they think they entitled”, said Robert Mcewan, Mount Vernon. “Those days are gone and for a team to come back from the dead they have done well and will still finish 3rd.”
The Dons dropped two points in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Hibs at Easter Road that has got one Leith diehard believing that things are finally about to turn for David Gray’s side, who remain rooted to the bottom of the Premiership. Neil Renton, Leith, said: “That was a great result for Hibs against the champions elect Aberdeen. If the players can keep fighting while the club gets a goalie who looks like he can actually play football as opposed to being a competition winner, I expect the boys in green to start climbing the table.”
Three goals in second half injury time made for an incredible finale in the capital but one punter was left livid by referee Calum Scott’s display. John Caw, wrote: “Thought I would watch game at Easter Rd. But please where are they digging up these referees. Calum Scott, unbelievable, this guy’s clueless.
“No major issues but it’s as if he was passing by and asked to ref this game. (Lewis) Miller yellow carded for trying not to collide with (Jack) McKenzie but unfortunately caught him. David Gray yellow carded carded for trying to explain. Heaven help us!”