Fraser Thornton reckons Rangers have been in decline for a decade.
The new chairman may have brushed over Steven Gerrard’s 2021 title win, but felt he had enough support to get away with a wee dig at the Union Bears. And it seems some on the Hotline are glad he’s seeing what the problems are in his assessment of just how long the Light Blues have been in the doldrums and isn’t pinning the blame on just Philippe Clement, with longer serving culprits in the firing line of the Ibrox faithful.
Drew Ferguson, Oban, emailed: “It’s comforting that chairman Fraser Thornton appreciates that Rangers decline is not just under Philippe Clement but started at least a decade ago. The player trading model was incompetent and the appointment of Michael Beale, who wasted millions, have contributed to Rangers demise. We need a competent forward thinking leadership from the board who are totally responsible for the demise of Rangers.”
Things have picked up a bit on the park in the last couple of games,but Scott Macadam, Glasgow, predicts more pain on the road and radio silence to be resumed from the usual culprits. He said: “Wouldn’t you know it, as soon as Rangers become world beaters again Stevenson and the usual Hotliners pop their head above the parapet. Another away day blue and they will soon be back in hibernation.”
Denis Bruce, Bishopbriggs, isn’t giving up all title hope though. He said: “Could the race for the SPFL title be taking an interesting turning, now that the Ibrox side has put its two main rivals to the sword so devastatingly at home? Is there now a glimmer of a dream run in for the blues? Have seeds of doubt entered the minds of the Hoops after their rough rides at Ibrox and Dundee? Which side will hold its nerve for this crucial half of the season? Could we see a reversal of last season’s collapse by Rangers and the Parkhead side succumbing to that self-same doubt virus
Benjamin Clarke, Balornock had a response for a fellow hotline sniper. “Alan Flett reckons Celtic have no ambition and are content to be the best of a bad bunch in Scotland, what does that say about his team who are in dire straits financially, they are really one of the bad bunch we’ll just keep filling the trophy cabinet?”
Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, still can’t believe how much Celtic are managing to sell their stars for. He emailed: “Brilliant work from the Celtic recruitment team. Hype up players for inflated sell-on prices then try and buy them back for peanuts. If you ask the Brighton supporters they tell me that they can have Matt O’Riley back for less than peanuts.”
Kyogo could be the next the Hoops cash in on but Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, is warning against it: “I’d be devastated if Kyogo was allowed to leave for Rennes and Celtic should throw the kitchen sink at it for him to stay. It would be Celtics biggest loss since Kenny Dalglish left for Liverpool and them supposedly offering Jota in part exchange should be a non starter.”
Finally, it seems judgement has been passed on Jimmy Thelin and it’s time for the Aberdeen board to pull the trigger yet again.Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny: “The Aberdeen board need to have a see you Jimmy moment and firer a P45 in Jimmy Thelin’s direction. Jimmy is not the only one facing the exodus of managers in Scottish football and joining the job centre and the job Scott Brown is doing at Ayr has got to be a contender for a Premiership management position and Aberdeen must get in first.”
John Scott, Grassmoor, added: “OK brass neck terrority here from a Hibby daring to criticise another team but Aberdeen? Cmon, they were woeful. The number of unforced errors was well into double figures. Aberdeen supporters must have been screaming at their TV’s but for all the wrong reasons. It was so bad that after 20mins one of the Aberdeen subs threw the ball to his player to take a throw. He dropped it!”