April Fool’s Day never disappointed on the Hotline as callers were falling over each other to wind up their rivals. Whether it’s what Rangers need to turn their fortunes round, where Greg Taylor’s future may lie or why Celtic’s big money sales keep coming back, it seemed like everyone was at it.
But first a serious call as Rangers fan Willie Mercer made clear where he thinks the problems lie in the Ibrox squad. Willie emailed: “There is no mystery as to why Rangers struggle against the likes of St Mirren, Motherwell, Kilmarnock and Dundee. Physicality, that’s what the current Rangers squad lacks, as was clearly seen once again in the first 60 minutes against Dundee on Saturday.
“Up until that point Dundee had been first to every loose ball, first in every 50/50 challenge and gave Rangers players absolutely no time in possession. It was only due to the fact the Dundee players ran out of legs that we got the time and space to play.
“This pattern of being bullied in the early stages of games and going behind, has been witnessed many times already this season. Yilmaz, Propper, Jefte, Barron, Diomande, Bajrami, Lawrence and McCausland, while maybe decent footballers, do not have the physical strength to mix and match the physicality experienced in most of our domestic league games. That must be addressed in the summer.”
Over at Celtic Park and it looks increasingly like Taylor is set to end his six-year stay with the Hoops. Former Rangers hero Kris Boyd set the cat among the pigeons by claiming the Ibrox side should move for the Scotland international.
But Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, said: “I heard Boyd say Rangers should go for Taylor in the summer – that’s surely an April Fool? There’s more chance of Celtic snapping up Vaclav Cerny. Taylor will in my opinion be a massive loss but I understand his reason for wanting regular first team football.”
Kyogo’s £10m move to Rennes is becoming more farcical by the day with the manager who signed the Hoops hero only to be sacked days later – Jorge Sampaoli – revealing he never sanctioned the move. Some Celtic fans are already dreaming of a return of the Japanese striker.
But Alan Flett emailed: “Celtic fans should be embarrassed if Kyogo and Matt O’Riley return to their club in the summer. Like both Jota and Kieran Tierney, they’re not fit for purpose outwith Scottish football. Let’s face it, any half decent player can look like a world beater in the SPFL. Unless of course, your name is the great Callum McGregor. He’s been masquerading as a central midfield player for the last 10 years but hasn’t managed to fool anyone outside Celtic Park.”
Jamie Thompson, Yoker, said: “Kyogo is another Celtic dud, just like Jota. Celtic supporters are deluded if they think all their players are world class. Aye world class duds. Jota ran back to Celtic now Kyogo wants back? Tottenham will sack useless Postecoglou too, so when Rodgers exits soon, the ex manager will be back at Parkhead.”
Regular caller Chris Lowe claimed Celtic’s days of big money sales were over, insisting Nicolas Kuhn and Daizen Maeda would not attract eye watering offers. Gordon Ashley, Ayr, fired back: “Let’s hope Chris Lowe finally gets it right over Celtic’s outgoings this year. We are on the verge of a treble and have made the Champions League next stage and taken his team’s most successful club claim from them in one season. We don’t want any of them to go, especially with £70m in the bank and a £7m sell-on for Jeremie Frimpong due.”
Finally, Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, called in with a footballing point when he said: “In a season where three players have racked up 500 games it is an impressive feat. James Forrest 25 trophies, Callum McGregor 23 and James Tavernier three. What a trophy haul, take a bow you three.”