There was the usual back-biting from both sides of the Glasgow divide but let’s start the Hotline on the one thing that should unite the nation - Scotland’s bid to get to the World Cup.
Ukraine come calling on Wednesday and, if negotiated, a play-off final with Wales in Cardiff next Sunday will determine our fate.
Stuart Lindsay, Glasgow, said: “Andy Robertson was right when he said Scotland had to take the emotion out of the occasion on Wednesday. Yes, what’s going on in Ukraine is heartbreaking but for 90 minutes the players have to forget about that and go out and do their jobs properly. If they do that, we can win.”
But Davie McDougall, Edinburgh, has a nagging doubt, saying: “Scotland should beat Ukraine but I’ve got the fear over Wales. I keep seeing a penalty shootout and Aaron Ramsey scoring the winning penalty for them.”
However, Sam Thomson, Glasgow was more confident. He said: “We’ve got the players and the manager to get past Ukraine and Wales. We’ll miss Kieran Tierney but I think we’ve got enough in midfield and up front to cause both these teams problems and I reckon we’ll get to the World Cup.”
Okay, that’s the ‘we are the world’ stuff taking care of. Back to the old routine now and Stephen Johnstone, from Ardentinny emailed: “Rangers are taking a gamble on signing John Souttar from Hearts as he is injury prone and fighting to beat the crock to play for Scotland against Ukraine, so he could spend more time in the treatment room than the dressing room at Rangers.”
Kenny Wilson, Moffat, emailed: “Can any Rangers fans clarify what needs to be done to prove you are the best team in Scotland? They say they are the best in Scotland and will prove it by winning the league next season but surely that can’t be because Celtic won it this year but yet they’re not the best in Scotland? Anyone help a confused fan?”
Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “I see the same jokers who valued Alfredo Morelos and Borna Barisic at £25m each are trying the same trick with Calvin Bassey and will get the same result. He has had a few good games but regularly makes big mistakes like the one in the Europa final that nearly cost a goal and will go for £7-8m tops if at all.”
Terry Reilly emailed: “I find it quite sad the amount of Rangers fans hiding behind Bodo/Glimt and trying to forget what was stated as the worst result in Scottish football history - Progres Niederkorn 2 Rangers 0. St Rochs are the Scottish equivalent to Progres.”
And Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, countered with: “So Liverpool’s Andy Robertson has said that his side would like to face Celtic in Europe next year. Get in the queue, Andy! Every club in the competition would like to face Celtic as they could beat them while resting their first team players.”
Jake Curley, Edinburgh, said: “That’s two times in a row that Rangers have rained on Celtic’s parade. A 25 point skelping on their stroll to ten in a row and getting to a European final this year. Now it’s back to them buying every player available so they can fill the back pages that Rangers have dominated since Celtic’s measly league win.”
Andrew Lamb, Fraserburgh, emailed: “Who is the least bit surprised to read that Odsonne Édouard has been classed as a flop at Crystal Palace, despite a dream start, it's much easier to look good against wooden Scottish defenders than real quality players. Same as Patrick Roberts, who has now had more clubs than Jack Nicklaus.”
Finally, Alan Lough, Dunbar, reckons it’s heartache for Liverpool in the Champions League final. He said: “I’d love to see Liverpool win in Paris, but their defence will have their hands full trying to shut out Vinicius junior and Benzema. And I can’t see past Madrid bossing the midfield and dictating the play.”
