The clock is ticking down to Sunday but the Hotline punters reckon the pressure is mounting ahead of this weekend’s crucial Old Firm showdown.
And most of the callers believe it’s win or bust for Rangers as they prepare to welcome Ange Postecoglou’s Premiership leaders to Ibrox.
There may only be three points in it but Celtic have a superior goal difference and regular contributor Gordon Ashley, Ayr, said: “The pressure really is massively on Rangers in Sunday’s game, they could beat Celtic then go to Parkhead and get a draw and would still need Celtic to drop points and that means Celtic have a free hit on Sunday which means they can play without pressure - and they definitely have the weapons to take advantage!”
And Bob Shearer took issue with the suggestion from Record Sport’s Scott Burns in Monday’s Jury that a draw might suit both teams.
“How does Scott Burns figure that a point apiece wouldn't be the worst of results for either at Ibrox? That would mean, even if Rangers then beat Celtic at Parkhead, Celtic would probably be above them on goal difference. This is assuming they both win all their other games. Rangers need to win at Ibrox, Celtic don’t."
Celtic fan Bud Hay, Dumfries , said: “If Rangers beat us on Sunday we will still be top. But ‘if’ is a wee word and Rangers will still be hoping that somebody else takes points off us. They’ve got to beat us first, so bring it on. Rangers can’t win the league, Celtic can only lose it. We’re 31 games undefeated, going on 32!”
The aforementioned Mr Ashley was unhappy about the numbest of cards being issued to Giovanni van Bronckhorst's stars earlier this week, prompting this response from Gary Stevenson : “I sympathise with Gordon Ashley and realise that he is bored watching Dragons Den but checking the foul-to-card Ratio is classic. What next? Throw-ins, substitutions, length of socks perhaps?”
But Paul Price, Belfast, said: “These anti-Gordon Ashley posts are really boring. It’s every day now. This forum is meant to be for a bit of banter, if people are so offended by what he says then they should stop reading his posts. Personally, I think the guy is a legend!”
That wasn’t the only mudslinging going on.
Celtic supporter Sean Beech , Hampshire, was unhappy with yesterday’s caller John Bruce after he insisted Rangers fans don’t want to see November’s Derby Down Under go ahead.
He said: “Ah Mr Bruce speaking for all Rangers fans. Sorry who are you? I’m sure the Rangers fans that live in Australia do not agree with you. Petty nonsense. A game of football thousands of miles away using reserve players from both clubs that will make the day for all those fans.
“The reason Celtic fans are happy with it is because we can see that. The only thing Rangers fans in this country are sore about is that they have to share the revenue with Celtic. If they were invited by anyone else they’d be there without complaint.”
And Robert Frew, Glasgow, added: “What is John Bruce seeing, that I’m not, that makes him think Celtic fans give a toss whether we play Rangers in Australia or not.
“If they pull out, the organisers will just bring in a replacement and the only ones who’ll be disappointed are the Rangers fans in Australia! Their loss, not Celtic’s.”
Dougie Lawrence, Shawlands, was happy to change the subject, saying: “With all this bickering about Sydney and the rest, what about a word for Buckie Thistle who set a Highland league record on Saturday, 21 wins on the trot. An amazing achievement!”
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