The Celtic punters on the Hotline say they’re happy to swap fish teas for champagne and caviar as they zero in on another domestic clean sweep.
Bill Lockerbie, Northampton, had a message for regular caller Gary Stevenson as he said: “I nearly fell out of my bed laughing at Gazza from Newtonhill’s latest offering, stating that his team have bigger fish to fry while Celtic are bigging up Sunday’s stroll in the park. In fairness I think he meant to type a word that ryhmes with fish, because that’s what they’ve been been all season, utter fish! As for Celtic bigging up, don’t flatter your team Gazza and no, the whole of Scotland is not behind whoever you’re talking about.”
And Arrin Geddes, Irvine, reeled another claim in as he said: “I hope Gary Stevenson enjoys every minute of the Rangers European run but the bottom line is, when the San Francisco dollars start rolling in, there’ll be none of it spent on silver polish, again. Go fry the bigger fish, we’ll have the champagne and caviar.”
Paul McArdle, Gourock, said: “Barry Ferguson walks into McDonald’s and asks for 2 whoppers. The counter guy serving goes ‘OK, here’s two, you’re going to beat Celtic on Sunday and also win the Europa League”.
A Whopper at McDonald’s? Come on, Paul, we all know that’s Burger King. Should have gone for a Filet-O-Fish…
Moving swiftly on, Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “It must be embarrassing for Rangers fans arguing whether they are the worst ever team in the Champions League, especially when Celtic have just made it out the groups for the fourth time! So I’ll help them out, they are the worst-ever team in the four-team format but the change in format means they will be stuck with that record forever.”
But Alan Milligan retorted: “All these Celtic fans commenting on Rangers having the worst Champions League record ever have obviously forgot that Celtic hold the record for being the first team to be knocked out of 3 European competitions in the same season.”
And James Galbraith also spotted that as he said: “Talking of European records, are Celtic the only team to exit the Champions League, Europa and Conference in one season?”
Stuart McLeod, Stepps, said: “A Hotline full of fans trying to play down the Europa league. I remember these same fans turning up in numbers to Seville naming a suite in their ground after the achievement and then playing to sellout crowds most nights. I feel you may protest too much to pretend you don’t care. Barry Ferguson has now won more away ties in European football than any Celtic manager in the past 2 decades.”
Alfie Mullin, London, responded to Robert McEwan in yesterday’s Hotline as he said: “Robert McEwan says he can’t wait to see Celtic back in the Champions League next season. I’ve got news for him. Celtic won’t be in the Champions League next season.
“The Scottish champions will need to gain entry via qualifying rounds next season and if the Scottish champions just happen to be Celtic, then it will be the Europa League for them. Everybody knows that Celtic can’t win a Champions League qualifier.”
And the last word goes to Hibs as John Scott, Grassmoor, said: “Rangers, Man United and Tottenham. Three giants playing in the Europa League given they are also-rans in their domestic leagues. Celtic winning the treble in Scotland? The least their fans should expect given their team on Sunday was worth more than Hibernian FC Ltd. in its entirety.
“Now if we can dispense with the inane Old Firm patter for a moment let’s all acknowledge that Rangers progression in Europe is great for us all. It opens revenue streams to smaller Scottish clubs that can only benefit our entire league. The race for third means something, so come on Hibees.”
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