Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Sports Hotline

If Celtic are the paranoid ones then it's strange the Hotline is awash with Rangers fans counting fouls

Celtic fans were calling loudest and longest as they hit back at criticism of their team by Rangers supporters.

Must be an Old Firm cup final week or something. Eddie Easson, Ballingry, Fife said: "The usual suspects are on here again with all their conspiracies. They can quote all the stats they want but the truth hurts. Celtic are the best club managed on and off the park. They are top of the league with millions in the bank. They are nigh on certainties to retain the league title and the cash pot that comes from the Champions League. Rangers may have to content themselves with a cup victory but don't bet on it."

James Kennedy, Kilsyth, said: "Mr Allardyce says on the Hotline that Celtic are 'beating garbage every week.' This includes a 4-0 thumping of his garbage team in September. More of the same this week Mr Allardyce." Andy Logan, Livingston, emailed: "So Chris Lowe remembers when Celtic players should have been sent off. What about Sands and Jack?? And yes Willie Mercer, the same Aberdeen team that was beaten by Darvel and Rangers struggled to overcome in extra time with 10 men in a semi final. To coin a phrase, what’s your point caller?"

Tam Williamson, Lanarkshire, said: "A shameful disputed red card robbed Livingston of at least a point on Saturday. This Sunday there should be 2 VARs in use at Hampden.....one to judge and administer fairness during the game and one to scrutinise the decisions of the so called VAR referees on VAR duty."

Henry Moffat, Stirling, said: "The fact Celtic have a low yellow card to foul ratio only proves the bias being shown against Celtic as it highlights the fact a higher number of fouls are being given against us despite a low amount of bad tackles. Fans of six different clubs have phoned the Hotline to complain about Rangers-biased referees and everyone knows they will get a soft penalty on Sunday. The penalty stats are indefensible."

Kenny Wilson, Moffat, emailed: "Celtic fans are constantly getting called paranoid or obsessed yet we have to listen to Rangers fans counting how many fouls they’ve committed with a bookings ratio. Sounds obvious to me - if you ask fans from any club outside Celtic or Rangers who gets the most decisions, 90 per cent of them will tell you it’s Rangers and you only need to look at the last few games where Rangers constantly get penalties for hand balls yet when the same thing happens in their box it’s no penalty."

Dennis Martin added: "I had a quick count of Celtic and Rangers penalties awarded and conceded during the last 2.5 seasons:-
Celtic have had 27 and conceded 19, so that's plus 8 in their favour. Rangers have had 45 and conceded 15 - plus 30. It's closer than I thought!"

Chris Sutton was at the wind-up when tweeting he'd be interviewing Michael Beale before the game on Sunday, but Dr Robert Pender is taking no chances. He said: "It would be unwise for the Rangers manager to be interviewed by Sutton pre match on Sunday. This is a total set up, Rangers should send out the tea lady to deflate Sutton's ego. And I hope the SFA have got their act together and set up urgent pitch improvements before Sunday’s final. This game will be watched world wide and it will be unforgivable if the pitch is not 100 per cent."

Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill said: "So it would appear that the guys who ran away from Celtic need the money and are now coming back to have a go at Michael Beale. Martin O'Neill, Charlie Nicholas and Kris Commons. They all fled Celtic to chase their dreams. Now that they are struggling for airspace they try to sneak back to have a go at our manager. I suggest that they crawl back under the rock where they have been hiding for years."

Away from Glasgow, Hugh McKirdy said: "As an Aberdeen man for many years I sadly predicted the current debacle the minute Derek McInnes and his staff were binned . Success is measured not only in silverware but stability and consistency - and both were achieved during their time with us."

And Kenny Goff said: "Having been at the Dundee United v St Johnstone game on Saturday, the Saints hierarchy must really wonder how they get a great away support, but can't muster a half decent home support when at McDiarmid Park, And United should play anybody in goal and send Birighitti home to Australia with a one way ticket."

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.