Rangers’ dreadful display and result in Belgium continued to dominate discussions on the Hotline.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team need to try to salvage their situation in Tuesday night’s second leg at Ibrox after a poor showing against Union Saint Gilloise. The Light Blues backers who hit the Hotline had no excuses for the 2-0 first-leg defeat, but some believe the aggregate scoreline will be turned around in their own formidable stadium.
Rangers achieved some terrific Ibrox results during their run to last season’s Europa League Final and Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, said: “Yes it was bad, worse than bad. But it’s a long way from over. Rangers are wounded, but not mortally. This Belgian defence were never at any time tested. It’ll be a far different story in the cauldron of Ibrox, make no mistake. Waves of Light Blue attacks, add the most vocal fans anywhere, it’s far from over. Rangers can still do it.”
Stefan Lomako, Whithorn, said: “It’s only half time. Rangers won’t make the same mistake and I think they will go through via extra time. Also VAR is going to be extremely contentious this season."
Not everyone, however, believes the turnaround will come with Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, saying: “As for the new Rangers recruits, it’s hard to imagine them all of them hitting the ground running. That doesn’t happen. Or does it?”
Stephen Mulhern, Dumbarton, continued: “Steven Gerrard leaving last season only confirmed my belief that he realised he’d be shopping in Poundland for players this season whilst having to move on his major assets. And just like Dick Advocaat’s bottle crashed when Martin O’Neill arrived, I predict yet another Dutchman will have no answers to stop The Ange Postecoglou juggernaut and be off at the end of the season.”
John Bruce responded and said: “On Tuesday, Rangers weren’t undone by a quality team. Rangers were the architects of their own downfall. In Europe, if a couple of players don’t perform, it can be costly. If an entire team, inexplicably, don’t perform, it will be catastrophic. But Celtic fans shouldn’t crow too loudly because quality teams are exactly what they will be up against in their Champions League group. They will also be the diddy team that all those teams will be eager to play against and a few more embarrassments could be on the cards, again.”
George Wilson, West Sussex, added: “Rangers were terrible with no pass marks and poor team selection and management. It was an appalling penalty decision, but a two-goal victory was the least Union deserved. It’s interesting though the number of obsessed Celtic supporters who are on here mocking and criticising.
“The game was only shown on subscription Rangers TV and Premier Sports, yet all the regular Celtic supporters on here seem to have seen every ball kicked. Odds are now against Rangers making the group stages of The Champions League, but we will have the consolation of the guaranteed regular Comedy Celtic in Europe Roadshow which has been entertaining the nation for many years. Celtic have been the main whipping boys and laughing stock in Europe for years. With Carthorse Vickers in defence, it will be their usual humiliation.”
While supporters of Glasgow’s two big football teams continue to squabble, there is unity around Scotland’s Commonwealth Games team. Four gold medals in four golden hours on Wednesday was cherished by the country with runner Eilish McColgan grabbing the headlines by following her mum Liz in winning the 10,000 metres.
Philip Barnes emailed to say: “A BIG cheer for Eilish McColgan. A great and gutsy run. And look at that smile and what it meant to her a true Flower of Scotland.”
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