Rangers fans are raging at what they consider a defeatist attitude displayed by boss Gio van Bronckhorst ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Ajax at Ibrox following the Dutchman's comments about the financial disparity between the clubs.
The Rangers boss claimed his side can’t compete with the Eredivisie giants in the long term although he did vow to give them a game at Ibrox. Not that that satisfied the punters and first up Davy Matson emailed: "That’s right Gio, throw the towel in before the game even starts. No wonder the fans want you out."
Eddie Easson, Ballingry, Fife, added: "Before a ball is kicked GVB has already given in and gone right in with his excuses. 'It's no' fair they've got more money than us', he bleated. Get in the real world... in life there is always someone with more than you have. The secret is to try to get the same."
John Armitage, Peebles, emailed: "It’s a bit rich Gio van Bronckhorst complaining about the financial difference between Rangers and Ajax. Now he’ll know how clubs outwith the Old Firm feel."
The Ibrox board are getting it in the neck as well. Stephen Johnstone, Ardentinny, said: "The Rangers board should be ashamed of themselves by inviting Michael Beale into the directors' box to watch them play Aberdeen on Saturday. If I was Gio I would be asking questions about his future – that's just unsettling the team, never mind the manager."
Jimmy Mac, Glasgow, said: "Rangers must now let it be known Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos are for sale. Both have been woeful last season and this season. They are delusional thinking Premier League clubs want them. It's time to cut our losses with them save over £50k per week between their salaries and bring in better, hungrier players and let them go to smaller clubs rueing the day they refused new contracts with Rangers."
Drew Ferguson, Oban, emailed: "I could not agree more with Alex McLeish as Rangers have not recruited the appropriate quality of players during the summer. From a position of strength after the Scottish Cup Final and Europa League Final they should have recruited fewer players but replaced others with better quality and not keep making the same mistake of recruiting players who are injury prone."
There was a rare moan at Ange Postecoglou from a Celtic fan. Gerrard Kelly emailed: "I am a great admirer of big Ange and the way he has transformed our team into a winning mentality but what I'm not happy about is him selling our future younger players. At the end of the day, it's good to win but you need to bring through younger talent not just sell them to bring in footballers from all across the world!
"Now there is Ben Doak sold to Liverpool, who seems to be an up and coming future player for them. Stephen Welsh, who I think is a decent enough player that just needs more game time, is going to be sold. Somebody needs to have a word in his ear!"
George Wilson, West Sussex, had a message for Hotline regular, saying: "Bud Hay said he nearly choked on his cornflakes when he read I said Rangers would win the Treble. It must have affected your eyesight then, Bud, as I never said anything of the sort. I said we would be in contention for three trophies.
"Get your facts right before jumping in feet first trying to make comical anti Rangers criticism which isn’t actually funny when you get it all wrong. Get someone to read the paper for you then check your script before you post a comment next time. Comical how the Celtic supporters are up in arms if anyone says anything positive about Rangers."
And Robert Livingston, Palm Beach, added: "Memo to Bud Hay who's been having a bit of choking problems with his morning corn flakes at the thought of Rangers winning all three domestic trophies: try warm milk on the flakes it'll make swallowing a Rangers comeback slightly easier. After some very poor games, Rangers are looking like they're back on song. We can only hope."
Andy Scott, Edinburgh, said: "Celtic fans and logic seem fated never to exist in the same time and space. They would have you believe Rangers have never beaten a good team.
"Any Rangers victory is derided as one or more of luck, bad opponents, biased referees or black magic but never deserving. Their team on the other hand has never lost an honest game or played badly in defeat. This is especially true when they play one of the real big teams, as with Real Madrid, where they had them on toast for 60 mins before they unluckily lost three late goals. Maybe it's the chip on their shoulders about always being the second biggest team in Scotland that drives them to such delusion. In football it's trophies that matter and Rangers still lead the way on that count as well as the head to head."
Kenny Goff said: "Celtic players saying that they'll be better prepared in the Champions League next season ... we’ve been hearing the same thing for years now. They are good in Scotland, but less than bang average in Europe."
Hugh McKirdy emailed: "I’ve been an Aberdeen man all my life and find it utterly embarrassing with some of the banners on sight when playing Rangers. Stuff about Iain Durrant and the Ibrox Disaster as well as Saturday's dreadful banner. That's not supporting your club."
Rab Hunter, Dumfries, was unhappy with Malky Mackay's assessment of Ross County's goal being chalked off against Hearts. He said: "I think Malky Mackay needs to go to Specsavers. If Owura-Edwards was not within five yards of being offside then Lawrence Shankland must have started in his own half. If there is one thing you can’t argue about VAR it's offside, the lines tell you all you need. Wonder if Malky will apologise?"
Finally, Bob Sheridan emailed: "Reading the reports after the weekend it really makes me sad when after only 12 games so called bigger teams in the Scottish game are actually talking about only competing for third place and some were saying this even before the season started. Yes they are being realistic, but surely some ambition should be shown or is now a case that they won’t even try."
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