As the clock ticks down towards Sunday's Viaplay Cup final, Rangers boss Michael Beale has been accused of making excuses before a ball is kicked.
The Light Blues gaffer admitted the result against Celtic won't have any bearing on the work still to be done at his club and it hasn't gone down well. Paddy Gowans emailed: "Motormouth Beale is running scared before the cup final by saying if Rangers lose to Celtic it doesn't burst their bubble. Beale is living in a bubble if he thinks his also-rans can lift the cup."
Chris Lowe, Yoker, emailed: "As Sunday's final approaches, spare a thought for Kilmarnock who were robbed out of a final place with yet another big decision going Celtic’s way with the non awarding of a penalty or refusing to consult VAR in the 92nd min. I hear the bookies are not taking bets on a Celtic player getting carded in the opening 45mins as it never happens."
Robert McEwan, Mount Vernon, emailed: "The best way I can explain penalties awarded to the Old Firm is that the guy I worked with told me Rangers had over the years been awarded a certain amount and Celtic were not far behind. I said to him, 'tell me how many they had when they needed them?'. He wasn't happy."
Arrin Geddes, Irvine, emailed: "I don’t really know what the point of Hotline caller Gary Stevenson’s 'running away' comment was but maybe he could share his thoughts on Steven Davis, Allan McGregor, Steven Whittaker, Sonny Aluko, Kyle Lafferty and John Fleck among others. Unlike Super Ally, they did run away."
Robert Livingstone, Palm Beach, emailed: "It's unbelievable that Kemar Roofe is injured again as something's not right with him. What's the point of putting him back on the park? In the old days there were no substitutes at all. Rangers played practically the same eleven players week after week, strong men who played a tough game, and won trophies. This current lot are hurt by the slightest contact, dare I use the words wimps and pansies, players not what they used to be."
John Caw emailed: "Hotline caller Chris Lowe goes on about referee Nick Walsh, surely he knew Nick was a mascot at Ibrox. He might not have ordered a Celtic player off but he also refused to award a stonewall penalty when Michael Smith stuck his hand out to the ball at Tynecastle earlier this season."
Willie Mercer, Dumfries, emailed: "Andy Halliday was spot on when commenting on Beales decision to allow Partick to score to protect Malik Tillman. It was bad enough the vilification he got and being called a cheat when the goal was not critical to the outcome. Nobody who follows Scottish football can have any doubt of the avalanche of personal vitriolic abuse Tillman would have suffered had Beale not done what he did and the goal had proved to be pivotal to the outcome of the game. Well done Beale and well said Andy."
David Knox, Queens Park, said: "Although Rangers teenager Bailey Rice wasn’t even born the last time Celtic won a two-leg European tie, surely big Ange Postecoglou must be destined for Liverpool. I mean his team did hit the post against the mighty Real Madrid."
Neil Renton, Edinburgh, emailed: "The tragic passing of Hibs owner Ron Gordon puts so much into perspective, especially football. At the end of the day it’s only a game."
John Scott emailed: "As someone who has berated Ron Gordon for his stewardship of Hibernian for some months now, I was totally shocked to hear of his illness and subsequent death. Football is a big part of many of our lives but at moments like these you are reminded that family and health are far more important than a game of football. Myself, having witnessed family members losing their life to cancer it has made me feel especially guilty criticising Ron at a time I was unaware of his illness. I send my sincere condolences to his family."
Alan Lough, Dunbar, emailed: "The defending from Liverpool against Real Madrid wasn't even remotely funny. It had more holes than a box of Tetley tea bags."
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