Red-hot Celtic head to Pittodrie for a top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday for a showdown that could have a major say on the title outcome this season.
But first, the Hotline’s green contingent reckon Brendan Rodgers will need to decide which of his two teams to send up the road to Aberdeen. The Hoops boss sent out his fringe men against Ross County on Saturday but it made no difference to the end result of a 5-0 hammering.
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, said: “Even after making six changes, Celtic still blew County away with a superb first half and they could quite easily have scored 10. Quality football and some superb goals with Luke McCowan the stand out performer for me. A tough trip next to Pittodrie but we go in full of confidence and some tough choices for the manager, which of course is a great position to be in.”
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “I thought one of the dilemma’s Brendan Rodgers is facing before the trip to Pittodrie would be bringing back Arne Engels into the midfield. But after witnessing McCowan excelling it must be a big call. Paulo Bernardo offers more of a goal threat than Engels and a spell on the bench seems on the cards.”
Charles Maxwell added: “I wonder if the Celtic players have a ‘job and finish’ clause in their contracts because despite only putting in a half shift for most matches this season, they’re on track for a goal difference of 105 vs 65 last season…maybe less is more!”
Meanwhile, Rangers’ Europa League exploits remained a hot topic for debate. John Scott, Port Glasgow, rang to say: “Most Rangers fans who contact the Hotline are on about Rangers failing to play well in bread and butter league games. Yet Alan Flett says the problem is they are only interested in big games such as Nice reserves. Well, roll on the Premier Sports Cup final! Surely the real problem is that their manager and some players have yet to adapt to the pace and ferocity of Scottish football?”
Speaking of the Devil, Alan Flett said: “The only major difference between the Champions League and the Europe is financial. The overall standard of the two competitions is roughly the same. Rangers are up against some good sides in the Europa League, whilst Celtic’s Champions League opponents are utter dross.”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill said: “The usual suspects have once again been spinning a yarn. All those posts claiming Rangers were not a threat and therefore not worthy of mention. Already every single post from Gordon Ashley and co is relating to The Famous Glasgow Rangers. We will always be The Big Story, and as proven when we dropped down the leagues. Scottish Football is nothing without the Rangers.”
Chris Lowe, Yoker, added: “The Kerrydale experts are out in force decrying Rangers win in France and bigging up their points gained in the weakest Champions League group in history, a tournament that’s been running 32 years during which time Celtic have won away twice. Bet they wish they could take Scottish officials into Europe with them!”
Cameron Hall, Edinburgh, emailed in: “I am slightly confused by Ajax, Rangers, Manchester City, GNK Dinano and PSG being ahead of Real Madrid in the UEFA rankings over the last five years. Real have been semi-finalists in the Champions’ League four times during that period and have won it twice as many times as all those clubs put together.
“UEFA’s arithmetic appears to be worse than Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng’s!”